Patterson takes the stage in Draddy Gymnasium. RYAN MONTEMARANO / COURTESY
Grace Cardinal and Laili Shahrestani, Editor-in-Chief and Features Editor
“Hi, I’m Stephen King.”
That was how James Patterson, ‘69, greeted students in last Tuesday’s two-hour event that consisted of a moderated discussion, an open Q&A and a book signing of Patterson’s newest novel, “The First Gentleman,” written alongside former President Bill Clinton.
Patterson boasts nearly 300 titles to his name, with over 100 of those being named New York Times bestsellers. He’s been the recipient of an Edgar, ten Emmy Awards and the National Humanities Medal, among more. His newest project, however, is right here at MU.
The James Patterson Honors Program (JPHP) was developed this year to provide students with not only academically challenging coursework, but exclusive mentorship and career development opportunities.
According to manhattan.edu, the program’s mission is to, “prepare a special group of Manhattan University students for successful, ethical lives. Each Honors student receives personalized coursework and advising, priority access to an extensive alumni mentoring network, and opportunities to take part in community and global engagement through Manhattan University connections.”
Included in this program is the James Patterson Speaker Series, of which Tuesday night marked the inaugural event.
The idea to bring Patterson to campus began in July, with the hiring of the JPHP Peer Leaders. The group hoped to find a way to build excitement about the new program across campus.
“After reading Mr. Patterson’s autobiography, they [Peer Leaders] brainstormed creative ways to build excitement on social media and get students involved,” Michele Saracino, Ph.D., executive director of the program, wrote in an email. “From there, departments across the university—too many to name—collaborated to ensure the event was both engaging and safe. The biggest challenge came when our registration numbers quickly exceeded the capacity of Kelly Commons. Thanks to the dedicated work of Athletics and Events Services, we successfully shifted the event to Draddy in under a week. That kind of teamwork was truly inspiring—it showed what’s possible when we pull together.”
On stage, Patterson was accompanied by Deidre O’Leary, Ph.D., associate professor of English, who moderated the event. She sat down with The Quadrangle to explain how the opportunity to be a part of the night was presented to her.
“I was asked to do this by Michele Saracino, Ph.D., the director of the James Patterson Honors Program,” O’Leary said. “She asked me, and I agreed immediately, because I thought it was a really exciting and scary opportunity.”
O’Leary went on to speak about what steps she took in order to prepare herself for the evening, and the prior knowledge she had of Patterson’s work.
“I had been introduced to Mr. Patterson’s works by my dad decades ago, and I remember the first time I read an Alex Cross thriller, I did not know anything about James Patterson apart from that he wrote books and had gone to Manhattan,” O’Leary said. “The preparation was spent over the summer, and I had read everything I could get my hands on. I watched the movies, I watched the documentary on Jeffrey Epstein that he appeared in and produced. I watched some of his interviews, I read some of his interviews, and then I read a few times, his autobiography and found it a really compelling, interesting read. He has a distinctive story, and has made Manhattan [University] a really integral part of his story.”
Among the many insights Patterson had to share with the student body, one idea he kept returning to throughout the event was making attendees think, “my time here is short, what can I do most beautifully?” Following the event, a number of students in the JPHP expressed their biggest takeaways from the evening. Abby Turnpaugh, a freshman biology major, spoke to The Quadrangle about how she felt inspired after listening to what Patterson had to say.
“It makes me feel inspired that someone coming from the same school that I’m at can go on to become the number one bestselling author in the world,” Turnpaugh said.
Cade Palmer, a freshman criminology major, also expressed how he felt a sense of inspiration after hearing about how Patterson went on to become a bestselling author after graduating from Manhattan University, then College.
“It’s basically proof that I can be successful as well,” Palmer said. “If he’s the bestselling author in the world, then I could do something cool too.”
O’Leary expanded on the idea that Patterson’s speech brought a sense of inspiration to the attendees at the event. She spoke about how guest speakers such as Patterson can allow for students of all majors to learn something new, and apply that knowledge to life after graduation.
“I think that students can be so inspired by meeting and hearing the stories of people outside of academia,” O’Leary said. “And, I think that you don’t have to be a writer or an English major to take away really valuable lessons and points from people like James Patterson. I think that it’s that really vital connection between the education you’re receiving here and the ‘real world experience’ that you’ll have in internships and after graduating.”
For those who planned the event, the night was equally as inspirational. As for Saracino’s biggest takeaway?
“That Jaspers, past and present, share a powerful connection and deep commitment to this institution,” Saracino wrote. “If we can harness that Jasper energy, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.”
Patterson will once again be returning to campus at the end of the month on Sept. 29 with co-writer and The Wall Street Journal bestselling author Patrick Leddin to discuss their new book “Disrupt Everything – and Win.”