Focused on excellence, and with diversity and inclusion front of mind, Patton Vo, Widener ’15, gravitates naturally to wanting to make a real difference. An award-winning professional at the intersection of philanthropy, education, and healthcare, Patton has spent much of his career bridging the gap between social mobility and access by fundraising for organizations like Penn State University, where he currently serves as director of campus development. His professional achievements helped create and fund cutting-edge research, scholarships, new vital community spaces, and endowments at institutions like Swarthmore College, Widener University, Arcadia University, and the Solebury School. Patton has supported two capital and comprehensive campaigns at Widener University and Swarthmore College, raising $65M and $440M respectively.
In 2019, Patton was honored with the Rising Star Achievement Award for the mid-Atlantic region by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for his leadership and commitment to the profession. Outside of higher education, Patton served as the senior vice president of operations for Grapefruit Health, now InSite Health, overseeing the delivery of care for over two hundred school districts nationwide and 250,000+ patients on services related to medical testing, mental health services, and tele-psychiatric care. He has also consulted for organizations like the Black Women in Sport Foundation, the Yleana Leadership Foundation, and the Annual Giving Network on topics of fundraising/philanthropy, leadership, and organizational development.
Patton balances his professional life with a robust volunteer schedule that includes serving on the Alumni Council of Widener University, his alma mater, the Human Rights Campaign, Stonewall Sports Philadelphia, and the Council for Advancement in Support of Education (CASE).
“Phi Delt has provided me with lifelong connections, experiences, and lessons that transcend beyond any classroom. Perhaps one of the better kept secrets about Greek life is all the good that fraternities and sororities do, instilling a culture of service and philanthropy. It is that first exposure to paying it forward that has defined who I am and what I do today. Phi Delt gave me a sense of purpose that I will always be grateful for.”
