FREDONIA, N.Y. — February 26, 2009 — Rohan Patrick, ’92, the new owner/manager of The White Inn in Fredonia, will be honored as this year’s distinguished alumnus at the SUNY Fredonia Educational Development Program’s 27th annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. in the Williams Center Horizon Room. All are welcome to attend the annual event.
A native of Brooklyn and 1992 graduate of SUNY Fredonia, Patrick has been the owner and innkeeper of Fredonia’s historic hotel and restaurant since the fall of 2008.
Having established a stellar, 16-year career as an illustrator and graphic designer which he continues to maintain through an online business, Patrick moved with his wife and children from Monticello, N.Y., to undertake their new endeavor.
“I liked Fredonia and I don’t mind new adventures,” he said. “I wanted to give back to an area that helped me when I was just starting out. With the help of the community and The White Inn staff, I’m looking forward to continuing and enhancing the tradition of excellence in hospitality that has been going on here since 1919.”
In the graphic arts world, he has freelanced for clients such as Citibank/Citicorp, Jobson Publishing, Inc., Parade Publications and Channell Communication, Inc. His positions have included senior graphic designer at Columbia University, publishing design manager at The Wall Street Transcript, promotion design manager at “Black Enterprise” magazine and special publication design manager at the “Times Herald-Record” in the New York Hudson Valley region.
Mr. Patrick formerly served as a teacher in the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, and also held teaching positions at the University of Bridgeport (Conn.), and the University at Buffalo. He also served in the Army National Guard from 1989-1997 as a supply/logistics specialist.
He earned a master’s degree in illustration from Syracuse University and a master’s of fine arts (M.F.A.) degree in communication design from the University at Buffalo, in addition to the bachelor’s of fine arts degree (B.F.A.) in graphic design from SUNY Fredonia.
As a student at SUNY Fredonia, Mr. Patrick was a member of the college judicial board, a college ambassador, a resident assistant and an orientation leader for incoming freshmen. He received EDP academic certificates and the Arthur O. Eve scholarship award.
For more information on the EDP awards ceremony, please contact Barbara Yochym, EDP Secretary, at 716-673-3317 or Barbara.yochym@fredonia.edu.
