Longtime Athens Academy faculty member and coach Richard J. Patterson received the J. Robert Chambers, Jr. Award on Tuesday, August 8, 2024, during a back-to-school reception for faculty and staff. The award, named in honor of longtime Athens Academy headmaster Bob Chambers, honors “extraordinary individuals whose actions reflect unwavering support and selfless devotion to the ideals and philosophy of Athens Academy.”

Mr. Patterson retired in 2017 after serving for 40 years as a member of the Upper School Science Department. An outstanding biology teacher, he was chair of the department from 1979-2017. Mr. Patterson continues to work as an assistant coach with Athens Academy’s track and field program.

During his time on campus, Mr. Patterson shaped the AP Biology program as a teacher, AP exam test item writer, and co-author of an AP Biology lab manual. Over the years he also shared his knowledge by leading workshops at colleges and universities around the country. Mr. Patterson was awarded the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Georgia in both 1988 and 2008, and he was selected by Athens Academy students as their STAR Teacher eleven times. The College Board named him the Siemens Foundation AP Teacher for the State of Georgia in 2007.

Every year Athens Academy awards two seniors with the Richard J. Patterson Spartan Award, which is “presented to a senior boy and senior girl who loyally exhibit school spirit and radiate that special enthusiasm that inspires other students. Through conscientious academic initiative and participation in school activities, these students best exemplify the finest personal qualities of honor and concern for their fellow man.”

Mr. Patterson’s achievements extend beyond the classroom; in addition to his work with track and field, he also excelled as a head coach in boys’ soccer and girls’ volleyball. In 2019, he was inducted into the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his lasting contributions to the athletic program. Though he retired from teaching in 2017, he continues to serve the Spartans as an assistant track and field coach.

The Chambers Award was created by the Board of Trustees to honor Bob Chambers, who served as headmaster of the school for 30 years, from 1983 until his retirement in 2013. Mr. Chambers’ leadership was critical in shaping Athens Academy into the school it is today. The granite plaque explaining the award hangs in the Chambers Center on the school’s campus. Mr. Patterson is only the fifth person to receive the Chambers Award; former trustee Kelley Tison was the inaugural recipient in 2016; longtime campus architect Peter Norris received the honor in 2019; longtime trustees Brooks Arnold and Gene Howard each received the award in 2023.