Patricia (Wood) Elliott
Member-at-Large
Class: 1960, 1974
Degree: BA
Major: Education
Term Expires: 5/31/10

A native of Orange County, Patricia (Wood) Elliott ’60 received her high school diploma during the last year that Orange High was located on what is today home to Chapman University. Pat graduated from Chapman in January of 1960 with a B.A. in Education. She returned to earn her M.A. in the same subject in 1974.

Having served as an educator for 33 years, Pat retired in
1996 from the Garden Grove School District. During her tenure at Garden Grove, she taught kindergarten, first, third, and fourth grades, while also teaching continuing education classes for teachers at Cal State Fullerton and Chapman University.

Several years ago, Pat turned a favorite hobby into a business that specializes in custom wedding floral arrangements. She also provided the flowers for Chapman University’s annual American Celebration scholarship gala for more than 20 years.

Pat brings a long history of dedicated involvement to her current service with the Alumni Association Board of Directors; she served as President of the Board between 1987 and 1989, Chairman of the Chapman Alumni Fund from 1969 through 1970, and an active Board member throughout the 1980’s. Pat is a current member of Town & Gown, and along with her husband, is involved with the Chapman Heritage Society. In a stunning display of the spirit of generosity so characteristic of Chapman alumni, Pat and her husband generously established an endowed scholarship for music students within Chapman’s College of Performing Arts. The scholarship is named in honor of her aunt, Bernice Brashear Beasley.

Pat has been happily married to Tom Elliott ’60 for 49 years. They have one son, Tim, and two grandchildren, Elise (18) and Steven (15).