Penny E. Patterson

Penny E. Patterson (Geol’76; MS’81; PhD’90) received one of this year’s Alumni Recognition Awards, an award that acknowledges extraordinary leadership and service to CU Boulder. Since retiring from a successful career at ExxonMobil and later forming a geoscience studies consulting company, Patterson has been using her skills and expertise to give back to CU Boulder. She serves on the university’s Geology Advisory Board and was elected board chair in 2022, the first woman to hold the position. Patterson also serves as a mentor for CU Boulder students, has enhanced student research through funding, and regularly hosts alumni gatherings.