2009-2010 Annual Report - Wayland Academy

Patterson made other innovations in
the curriculum as well. In 1957,
Wayland’s first Teacher’s Handbook,
authored by David Proctor H`07, was
given to the faculty. Then, Wayland,
in order to standardize its admission
policies, aligned itself with
Educational Testing Service and
began administering the Service’s
Secondary Admission Test. The
campus also became the regional
center for administering the test.
Advanced Placement courses in
English, mathematics, chemistry, and
history were added to the curriculum
in the 1957-58, school year, a
tradition that has continued and
grows to this day.
In 1962-63, Patterson introduced
Saturday classes and an eight-period
day as well as three new courses:
history of Asia, psychology, and
philosophy. He formed teacher teams
in science and foreign languages.
Keeping the level of journalism high,
in the spring of 1963, the Wayland
Post won a national first place rating
for school newspapers from the
Columbia Scholastic Press. During
the 1954-55 school year, Patterson
began the class counselor program,
the pre-cursor of the mentor program
currently in effect, as well as a
comprehensive testing program.
Patterson also reported that the Dye
Family Foundation had established a
“Religion in Education” program at
Wayland. The Foundation made a
five-year commitment of $25,000 per
year. The Dye Chair of Religion, as it
is now known, grew out of that gift
and has been in existence since
January 1966. To this day, there is a
weekly chapel service and
opportunities for religious dialogue
and private worship throughout the
academic week.
Patterson was truly one of the great
Wayland leaders, and his statistics in
enrollment, endowment, and
curriculum development alone prove
the point. Furthermore, the fact that
the NBA sought him out as the type
of leader necessary in a culture now
ruled by professional sports
demonstrates the strength of his
abilities. However, the history
book remains somewhat
powerless in touching the
intangible qualities of his
charisma and aura that inspired
and motivated others to do their
best and make Wayland the best.
Ray Patterson, Jr. `40 was that
rare personage, a man possessed
of charisma, wisdom, kindness
and vibrancy that, having
touched Wayland for two
decades in person, would
somehow continue to improve
the school for decades after his
departure.
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