Longtime CSC Leader Dr Pat Colgate Passes At Age 86

By Con Marshall 

Long-time educational leader at Chadron State College, Dr Thomas (Pat) Colgate, died this past weekend at age 86 in Massachusetts, where he had resided since leaving Chadron to be closer to family 4 ½ years ago.

               Colgate was associated with Chadron State for 37 years, serving the last 15 as dean of the School of Education and Graduate Studies.  Before that he was chairman of the Division of Physical Education for 18 years.  He also served two stints totaling about five years as the Eagles’ athletic director in the 1980s.

              A native of Colorado who was born March 9, 1937, Colgate earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colorado State College (now University of Northern Colorado).

He had recently completed his doctorate in physical education administration at the University of Iowa, when he came to Chadron State in 1965 as a physical education instructor, head swimming coach and assistant football coach.

              His swimming teams won two NAIA District 11 (Nebraska) championships in the early 1970s. He was inducted into the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.  

              Those who have worked closely with Colgate noted that he guided the college’s educational program with a steady hand, stressed excellence and always found ways to solve problems.

During his tenure as dean, Chadron State’s teacher education program was fully re-accredited on three occasions by both the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Nebraska Department of Education

              “The highlight of my career is undoubtedly the success that our graduates have had,” said Colgate when he retired in 2002. “Many of them have gone on and done exceptionally well. That’s really what it all comes down to when you are preparing teachers, coaches and school administrators.”

              Survivors include three sons — Bill, Ken and Bob. Another son, Gary, died in 2002.