Tyler Patton Elected Chair of USM Student Council

SALISBURY, MD -- Tyler Patton, a freshman political science major at Salisbury University, was recently elected chair of the University System of Maryland Student Council. He is the first SU student to hold that distinction.

The Student Council, which includes two representatives from each of the 11 USM institutions, is one of three advisory boards to the System chancellor. The other two boards represent the faculty and staff, respectively.

Patton, as Student Council chair, sits on the Chancellor's Advisory Council, providing a student voice on USM issues to the System leadership as well as to the Board of Regents.

"We discuss topics that are in the forefront of higher education," said Patton, 18, "and I attempt to share the student viewpoint on those issues."

The Student Council has subcommittees on academic affairs, finance, government relations and information technology.

Patton, son of Craig A. and Bonnie W. Patton of Hagerstown, MD, eventually would like to pursue elected office in state government, either the House of Delegates or the Senate. He chose SU because he was told, "I would have to work hard in class, and that impressed me. Also, I believe an SU diploma is one of the most valuable in Maryland."

The other Student Council representatives from SU are Travis Dettman, a senior marketing major from Rochester, NY, and Julius Jones, a sophomore business major from Severn, MD.

Other USM institutions are the University of Maryland College Park, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Baltimore, Bowie State University, Coppin State College, Frostburg State University and Towson University.