Representatives from Manhattan University, formerly Manhattan College, announced the launch on Nov. 13 of the James Patterson Honors Program, an institution-wide initiative that will involve faculty from the University’s three schools along with high-performing students pursuing a wide-range of academic disciplines.

 

University officials said Patterson, an acclaimed author in his own right, who has also co-written a bestselling novel with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, and who is a 1969 graduate of Manhattan College, will co-lead the program. They said the James Patterson Honors Program will serve as a catalyst to foster critical thinking and problem solving across multiple areas of study, creating a national model that the University plans to make available to other institutions.

 

Officials said the University is actively recruiting top high school seniors to participate in the inaugural class beginning with the 2025 Fall semester, and a program director is expected to be announced soon. They said the mission of the James Patterson Honors Program is to “provide a strong foundation in critical thinking, writing, and creative problem-solving to prepare top students for fulfilling careers in a wide range of industries.” They added, “Manhattan University conscientiously equips its students to be ethical, successful citizens in the real world.”

 

University officials said the program will include carefully curated academic experiences, writing, communication and leadership workshops, career-development internships, mentorships, and opportunities to meet and network with national leaders, alumni, and New York City industry leaders. They said the goal is to integrate creative thinking, problem solving, writing and communications across disciplines, providing academic tools that will greatly impact students in their educational life and throughout their careers.

 

Rani Roy, Ph.D. , Manhattan University executive vice president and interim provost, said of the initiative, “We are profoundly grateful to Jim for his continued dedication to his alma mater and to his unwavering support to learning, critical thinking, and the importance of developing the whole person.”

 

Roy added, “Establishing the Patterson Honors Program will exponentially strengthen Manhattan’s ability to reach the top academic high school seniors. It further places Manhattan University at the forefront of preparing students through a career-ready education, training them to develop into the top business leaders of their generation.”

 

For his part, Patterson said, “It is important for me to work with one of my alma maters to enhance a culture of success and achievement for our highest performing students from Manhattan University. Our goal in this leadership program is to provide a solid foundation in the critical areas of writing and creative problem solving coupled with a robust professional preparation and exposure to leaders in a wide range of work environments.”

 

He added, “Excellence in learning is essential, and I am so pleased to be able to start this program and have an active role in its development at Manhattan University.”

According to Manhattan University, Patterson’s books have sold over 425 million copies and he holds The New York Times’ record for most number one best sellers by a single author. They said he graduated from Manhattan University summa cum laude with a BA in English and from Vanderbilt University with an MA in English.

 

They said he is the most popular storyteller of our time, the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. They said he also authored breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Tiger Woods, as well as various military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses.

 

They said in addition to coauthoring #1 bestselling novels with Clinton, Patterson has also coauthored with singer, Dolly Parton, and collaborated most recently with Michael Crichton on the blockbuster, “Eruption.” They said he has also told the story of his own life in “James Patterson” by James Patterson and has received an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

 

Founded in 1853, Manhattan University is an independent Catholic Lasallian institution located in the Fieldston section of The Bronx that embraces students of all faiths, cultures, and traditions. University officials said its mission is to provide a dynamic student-centered educational experience that prepares graduates for lives of personal development, professional success, civic engagement, and service to their fellow human beings.

 

They said Manhattan University offers programs that integrate a broad liberal arts education coupled with a concentration in specific disciplines in the arts and sciences with professional preparation in business and engineering, ensuring graduates will excel in their chosen fields. The University consists of the Kakos School of Arts & Sciences, the O’Malley School of Business, and the School of Engineering. For further information, visit www.manhattan.edu.