Taking on a new role
Patrick B. Summers ’94 elected president of Alumni Board of Directors
Patrick B. Summers ’94, P’28, P’28, an alum dedicated to service who first joined the Alumni Board of Directors as alumni/athletics chair in 2016, was recently elected president of the board.
“One of my personal life philosophies is that we owe it to those who come after us to leave things better than when you found them,” said Summers. “I want to continue the amazing work that past-president Katie Leiby Schneider ’06 supported during her tenure as president. It’s important to increase engagement with our Alumni Association and to hear from them directly about what they need and want from us.”
Since earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wheaton in 1996, Summers has worked in higher education athletics and related areas. He served the Eastern College Athletic Conference for seven years before co-founding PrestoSports, a pioneer of college athletics websites, and acting as its chief operating officer.
Summers has been executive director of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (which includes Wheaton among its 12 member institutions) since 2011. He has shared his knowledge and expertise as a part of numerous NCAA committees for Division III athletics and has lectured at four colleges. His extensive experience has shaped his view and outlook for Wheaton’s future.
“I think it’s important to engage with current students sooner to make sure they recognize the power of their alumni association and how it can support them,” he said. “I am very excited about the launching of the Life and Career Design Institute and want to support the efforts of the college to maximize this resource.”
Courtney Shurtleff, assistant vice president for advancement, is excited about continuing to collaborate with Summers in his new role. “Patrick was a student-athlete and a resident assistant at Wheaton. He has served on the Alumni Board previously, was a Lyons Athletic Advisory Council member, as well as an admission and career center volunteer,” she said.
“It is only fitting that he leads the Alumni Association. Patrick brings a wealth of work experience to the position and has a wonderful way of listening to many points of views, summarizing the issues and offering action steps.”
Summers lauds the education he received and connections he made as an undergraduate. “I made lifelong friends who have supported and helped me through my life,” he explained. “I sought advice and counsel through some of the most difficult decisions in my life and every time I needed support Wheaton was there.
“The professors and staff encouraged open and respectful dialogue and provided experiential learning opportunities that shaped the way I worked and grew professionally,” he continued. “Overall, Wheaton’s education taught me how to write and communicate effectively and transparently; how to break down and analyze problems, and how to develop a plan to move forward.”
A first-generation Filipino-American, Summers has proudly worked in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community to raise awareness for those with whom he shares his heritage.
As alumni board president Summers will serve as an ex-officio member of the Wheaton Board of Trustees. Also, he recently embarked on a new journey as a Wheaton parent, as twin daughters Ella and Lili entered the Class of 2028.
“Their college search was exhaustive, but after a visit to Wheaton where they met with faculty and staff members to discuss academic programs, resources and support services, it became very clear to them that they wanted to go here,” he said.
“Wheaton genuinely cares about their students’ personal, academic and professional success and what parent wouldn’t want that kind of support and community for their children?” he said.
For many reasons, Summers is excited to get to work in helping promote Wheaton.
“I enjoy connecting with the current students, the alumni, the parents and family members, the faculty and the staff to hear more about their Wheaton experiences and hear their ideas for improvements,” he said.
“Giving back and paying things forward to the next generation of students only makes my experience with Wheaton better.”