While UNCG opened its doors in 1892 as a school for women, it was not until the 103rd year of the school that a woman would serve as the University’s highest-ranking administrator. On January 1, 1995, Dr. Patricia A. Sullivan officially became the 9th Chancellor of UNCG and the first woman to hold the chief executive position on campus.

Under Sullivan’s leadership, enrollment at UNCG reached an all-time high, while academic standards for admissions also increased. Enrollment of students from underrepresented communities also grew significantly. The physical landscape of campus also evolved. Sullivan diligently advocated on behalf of the $3.1 billion North Carolina Higher Education Improvement Bonds, which was the largest bond referendum for public education in U.S. history. UNCG received $166 million from the referendum for construction and renovations. The Science Building that would later be named in Sullivan’s honor was built because of that referendum.

On December 6, 2007, Chancellor Sullivan announced that she would retire, effective July 31, 2008. At her retirement, Sullivan was also fighting a battle with pancreatic cancer. On the morning of August 20, 2009, after a two-year battle with the disease, she passed away at the age of 69. A campus-wide service was held in her memory on September 14, 2009, with remarks from numerous UNCG alumni, faculty, and administrators. These remembrance books are filled with condolence notes from faculty, alumni, and friends.

Supplemental Materials

Oral history interview with Patricia Ann Sullivan

The Carolinian article of Chancellor Sullivan’s memorial service

Spartan Story about Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan