President, New Detroit, Inc.
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1972
Citation:
To live for the service of others is the highest ideal of man. To be called to this service again and again is the mark of noble character and charismatic leadership. As a young man William T. Patrick, Jr., planned for a career in law but he soon found a taste for public service as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County, which led him to two terms on Common Council of the City of Detroit and the chairmanship of the Wayne County Supervisors. When he attempted to devote himself full time to his career in law, with the Michigan Bell Telephone Company, he was summoned as a special consultant to R. Sargent Shriver on the President's Task Force in the War Against Poverty. He returned to Michigan Bell about the time the civil disorder of July 1967 erupted, and once again he was called to service - this time to direct the activities of the New Detroit Committee and eventually become its President. In June 1971 he assumed the directorship of environmental affairs at AT&T. His broad background of political, economic, civic and social affairs has provided him with a vast knowledge of the problems of today's changing world. Reverend President, it is my privilege to present Mr. William T. Patrick, Jr., for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Commencement, University of Detroit, April 29, 1972.