Patricia (Pat) Shanks has been a member of the Oberlin College Board of Trustees since 2011. However, her passion for Oberlin started as an undergraduate student when she arrived at the College in the fall of 1959.
A student at Oberlin before Title IX, Shanks did not have the opportunity to play sports but she did develop a love for physical activity and understood the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. It is something she firmly believes in to this day, and it has helped mold her into the person she is - a successful businesswoman (retired), who has touched the lives of many through her work, philanthropy and family life.
The College is slated to open the new 15 million-dollar Pat '63 and Merrill '61 Shanks Health & Wellness Center in August of 2018. Pat was not only the lead advocate for the project, but Pat and Merrill were lead donors.
During her 16 years as Founder, President and CEO of BASIS, Inc., Shanks piloted the company's growth from a small start-up to a position of prominence among West Coast systems and network integrators. While at BASIS, Shanks served on several manufacturers' reseller advisory councils, and served as President of Sun Microsystem's National Reseller Council. In 1996, she orchestrated the sale of the company to another systems integrator.
She has been a member (and Past President) of the Board of Trustees for Crisis Support Services and a member of the Board (and Executive Committee) for Luna Dance Institute in Berkeley, California. Previously, she was also a member of the Board of Trustees for Alliant International University (formerly California School of Professional Psychology) as well as separate Boards for allied campuses in Mexico City and Kenya. For Oberlin, she has served on the President's Advisory Council, class president, the Alumni Council, the Alumni Trustee Search Committee, and several Reunion Gift Committees.
After graduating from Oberlin, Shanks taught high school biology before obtaining her masters degree in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Michigan's School of Education. Prior to BASIS, Shanks had over a decade's experience as a research and design consultant for several federal, state, and university research programs, with a primary emphasis on survey methods and public health.
She and her husband, Heisman Club Hall of Fame member, Merrill ('61), reside in Berkeley, California. They have two adult children, Carol ('88) and David.
