Mike Patarino's '84 journey as a Trailblazer began with hands-on, real-world experiences at Vincennes University that ignited his passion and set the foundation for a successful career. He didn’t just study Architectural Drafting at Vincennes University; he lived it.

Mike won a competitive design contest for the VU baseball field press box and another that allowed him to present his bank building concept to the board of a local bank. These weren’t just classroom projects—they were professional experiences that gave him a head start in the industry. Mike was even selected as a student to work part-time at an architecture firm run by two of his VU professors.

After completing his associate degree in Architectural Drafting, he continued his academic journey at Ball State University and later at Indiana University’s Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Today, Mike leads as the President of Construction at Cityscape Residential, LLC. He credits VU as the launching pad for his personal and professional growth.

In this Alumni Spotlight Q&A, Mike shares how he wouldn’t be the successful professional he is today without VU.

Q: Why did you choose Vincennes University for your education?

“My grades coming out of high school were bad, and I graduated with a 1.8 GPA. I skipped a lot of classes and was officially withdrawn from the 11th grade. I had to change schools and repeat the 11th grade to graduate from high school finally. I didn’t want my grades to define my future, and I was not ready to attend a larger college. VU was a smaller college with associate degree programs, which I thought would be a better first step for me as an 18-year-old.”

Q: Why did you choose to study Architectural Drafting at VU?

“When I was young, I wanted to be an architect. I took drafting classes in high school and found that I was good at it. VU had an associate degree program in Architectural Drafting that I thought would allow me to prove myself before attempting to attend a bigger college.”  

Q: Describe your VU journey.

“My two years at VU were a turning point in my life. The university had smaller class sizes, which allowed the professors to spend more time with their students. This allowed me to be curious, ask questions, learn, and expand my experiences without anxiety.  Student life was active, and there were always things to do.”

Q: Who had the biggest impact on your educational career at VU?

“In my second year in the Architectural Drafting program, my professors George Ridgway and Andy Myszak at George S. Ridgway & Associates selected me to work part-time in their architectural firm. I was only one of two people. I knew that if George and Andy thought that I was good enough to work for them, I could be successful in the bigger world. They allowed me to stretch my skills and be confident in who I was.”

Q: How did VU prepare you for your career and any challenges you faced after graduation?

“My classes were challenging, and the professors were fair. It was not easy. The smaller classes and campus allowed me to make friends and build my confidence. When I graduated, I knew that I could face the wider world and be successful in anything that I attempted as long as I worked hard, was fair to others, and always leaned into challenges.”

Q: What advice would you give current or prospective VU students?

“Not everyone is ready to attend a college with 30,000 plus students, a big campus, a big city, and the pressures that come with a lot of competition. This feeling is okay. Attending a small college in a small city can be liberating and allow you to discover who you are as a person, what you can accomplish with less pressure, and the freedom to find your individual path to success.”

Q: Why is VU a special place for you?

“Vincennes University holds a special place in my education, professional career, and overall life journey. While attending VU, I had my first educational success (e.g., good grades and graduating with High Distinction), my first professional job in architecture, my first awards (e.g., I won the competition for the design of the VU’s baseball field press box and the competition to present my bank building design to a local bank’s board of trustees), and the confidence to know that I could succeed in a bigger college and the larger world.” 

Q: Anything else we should know?

“My time at Vincennes University gave me the confidence to attend Ball State University and then the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. I became a very curious and confident person, which led me into positions with architectural firms, construction companies, and commercial real estate development companies, teaching for the University of Indianapolis in a master’s program, and volunteering service to support my profession. Without Vincennes University, I know I would not be the person I am today nor as successful as I have been in my career. I credit my time at VU as the starting point of my life journey.”

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