DR. RUTH PATRICK, CLASS OF 1929, IS COKER COLLEGE'S ALUMNA OF THE CENTURY. SHE IS ONE OF THE 20th CENTURY'S PREEMINENT SCIENTISTS AND A PIONEER IN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND AQUATIC ECOLOGY.

Proved that biological diversity holds the key to understanding environmental problems

The Patrick Principle is the basis for all environmental science and management.

Champion for environmental protection for seven decades

Area of expertise: diatoms — microscopic aquatic organisms

B.S. in biology, Coker College, 1929

Ph.D. in botany, University of Virginia, 1934

Founder, Patrick Center for Environmental Research at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 1947

Advisor on environmental issues for three Presidents

of the United States

First woman elected to DuPont’s Board of Directors

Former Chairman, National Academy of Sciences Section on Population Biology, Evolution and Ecology

Former Member, Environmental Protection Agency Executive Advisory Committee

Former Member, World Wildlife Fund National Council

Former Member, Nature Conservancy Board of Governors

Former President, American Society of Naturalists

National Medal of Science winner, 1996

Recipient of more than 40 professional honors and awards

Awarded honorary doctorates from 25 colleges and universities including Coker College

Authored over 190 professional publications

Featured in UNDAUNTED: Five American Explorers 1760-2007, an exhibition at the American Philosophical Society (June 22, 2007 through December 28, 2008)

Served on the Coker College Board of Trustees, 1941 to 1973

Coker College Alumni Association Distinguished Achievement Award, 1977

Celebrated her 100th birthday in November 2007