People You Should Know: Gladys Patten

By Michelle Allen

When at school everyone looks for a home away from home. Students look for a place where they can relax, let their hair down and be around like-minded people while miles away from their permanent address. Some students go as far as looking for a “mother” type figure while being here at Western. Well for those of you out there looking for that special woman to call “Mom,” look no further than the Art Office in Potter Hall. In this office resides Gladys Patten, an Administrative Assistant who truly takes care of all of her kids here at Missouri Western State University.

Some would call Gladys Patten a very sanguine woman. She is always a happy, cheerful someone you can go to for help. Gladys Patten is a 44 year old, Saint Joseph native and is an inspiring hand bag designer. Patten is a mother, a grandmother and is living her life to the fullest. Patten talks about her love to help others.

“I just think students need someone to talk to,” Patten said. “They just need someone to listen. [So] we just have to have the willingness to listen to them. ”

Patten goes on to explain why she chose to work at Western. “I just wanted to work with students,” Patten said.

She suggests that students have a lot of stress on them and sometimes just need someone to vent their frustrations to.

After working as a secretary for 20 years in a prison, Patten worked for Missouri Western’s Provost Jeannie Daffern for two years before moving to Potter Hall. Since arriving on campus she has been determined to be a guiding light into a student’s journey to a better education. Art Department Chair Dr. Allison Sauls, who’s desk lies right next to Patten’s, shares her views on Patten.

“She’s like a second mom around here,” Sauls said. “Sometimes she knows what the students need before they even ask her.”

Graphic Design major Tara Sabbert expressed how helpful Patten is and what a joy it is to have her in Potter Hall.

“She is just so nice, and we don’t have a lot of faculty that is,” Sabbert said. “If a student needs help, she’s always there and if she can’t help you she’ll try to find you someone who will.”

Gladys Patten is truly a mother, a friend and a counselor to not only her family at home, but to her family here at Western.