Isabel Patterson Memorial Fund

The Isabel Patterson Memorial Fund supports an outstanding collection of preschool, elementary and secondary level nonfiction, fiction, and picture books located in the University Library's . The fund was established through the Charitable Remainder Trust Ms. Patterson initiated with the university in 1979.

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Isabel Patterson with former ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú President
Isabel Patterson with former ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú President (later Congressman) Steve Horn and his wife, Nini. (photo from ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Special Collections and University Archives)

In 1951 Isabel Patterson graduated from ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú with a degree in English and began teaching in Long Beach. Through investments in local real estate she became a self-made millionaire. Ms. Patterson began a lifelong pattern of philanthropy in the Long Beach community with special emphasis on children. She developed a close friendship with former university President Stephen Horn and his wife, Nini. In 1973 she provided the funds to build the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Isabel Patterson Child Development Center.

Ms. Patterson received an honorary doctorate from ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú in 1994, an accomplishment of which she was especially proud. Her name still appears on many campus buildings.

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Photograph of Isabel Patterson and child
Isabel Patterson (photo from ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Special Collections and University Archives)