Dena Freeman-Patton was appointed as the new vice president and director for intercollegiate athletics by University President David Wilson this Tuesday. 

Freeman-Patton will become the first woman in Morgan’s 155-year history to lead its athletic department when she assumes her new role on June 1.

She will replace former athletic director Edward Scott, who left Morgan to become the deputy athletics director at the University of Virginia.

In a statement, Wilson said, “Among those expressing a high interest, Dena Freeman-Patton was the most impressive, offering a wealth of experience and the requisite leadership capabilities to oversee a rising D1 athletic program.” 

The Lake Clifton High alumna and Baltimore native has nearly 25 years of experience in athletic administration. She most recently served as the associate vice president and director of athletics at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH.)

She earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management at Liberty University in 1996 and a master’s in sports administration from Georgia State University in 1999.

In addition to working at CSUDH, Freeman-Patton worked at the University of New Orleans, California State University, Bakersfield, Georgia State University and the University of Maryland, College Park.

During her time at California State University, Bakersfield, she led the efforts to secure an $870,000 NCAA Accelerated Academic Success Program that contributed to the opening of the $1 million Kegley Center for Student Success.

In 2018, she was named the Women Leader in College Sports Administrator of the Year.

“After 25 years in this business all across the country in every level of Division 1, I’ve had the awesome opportunity to impact the lives of young adults and I look forward to doing the same thing at Morgan,” said Freeman-Patton. 

Wilson said Freeman-Patton’s first order of business as athletic director will be to hire a permanent head football coach.