Patterson, Crosby join MC Communication faculty

Chris Patterson, left, MC assistant professor of communication, and Bretton Crosby, MC instructor in communication, have joined the Mississippi College faculty.

The Mississippi College Department of Communication has added a veteran communications director with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the University’s former audio-visual director to its full-time faculty ranks.

Chris Patterson, 12th commander of the Engineer Research and Development Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, has joined MC as an assistant professor of communication, while Bretton Crosby, a two-time MC graduate, has joined his alma mater as an instructor in communication.

Reid Vance, MC associate professor and chair of communication, said Patterson brings impactful leadership to the department.

“We’re very fortunate to have someone with a depth of scholarship and experience as Dr. Patterson to join our faculty,” Vance said. “The wisdom and work ethic he will bring to our department will benefit all our students, especially those who aspire to careers in journalism and public service.”

A Jackson native, Patterson obtained his associate’s degree from Hinds Community College, his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University, his master’s degree from Belhaven University and his Ph.D. in communication from Liberty University. He also earned a certificate in strategic communication and leadership from Seton Hall University.

A decorated veteran of assignments in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo, Patterson served as director of communications of the Corps and led the unit’s journalism and public relations efforts before becoming a commander. The recipient of numerous awards in public affairs and journalism, he will lead the MC Communications department’s journalism program and will spearhead the launch of the new Master’s of Science degree in public affairs communication. Patterson will continue to serve as an active-duty U.S. Army reservist during his tenure at MC.

Vance said Crosby is a familiar face to members of the Choctaw family and a welcome addition to the department faculty.

“Mr. Crosby has been a valued member of our MC family for many years as both a student and staff member,” he said. “It’s been a delight to see his advancement as a practitioner and scholar. His combination of fresh thinking and deep knowledge of MC makes him a perfect fit for our department faculty.”

A native of Brookhaven, Crosby earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication at MC and received the department’s Graduate Research Award for work on his thesis, “Streaming Preachers: Parasocial Relationships and Live Streamed Sermons.” He served in media ministry for local churches, including Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, before joining MC as its AV director.

Crosby will lead the department’s Ministry Communication program, which prepares students for careers of service in local church, denominational and parachurch media-related ministry roles. He will continue to work with MC students in campus media productions, including Mississippi College Athletics.