Jun 5, 2026
From rural roots to statewide advocacy: One undergraduate’s path in radiation sciences
Three years ago, Sonny Patterson Jr. arrived at Virginia Commonwealth University from the small, rural community of Stuarts Draft, Va., bringing with him a strong work ethic, interest in health care and sense of purpose.
Now a rising senior in the Department of Radiation Sciences, he has distinguished himself as both an exceptional student and an emerging advocate for his profession.
Patterson is a Clinical Radiation Sciences major with a concentration in radiation therapy. He first encountered the field through a high school mentorship program that allowed him to shadow hospital professionals at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Va.
That early exposure left a lasting impression, particularly the patient-facing nature of the work. Having seen close family members battle cancer, including his father, Patterson felt drawn to a profession where he could make a tangible difference.
“In radiation therapy, you build connections and are there for the patients in a tough time of their life. I really like that part,” he said. “Being around cancer a lot in my life makes me want to do something about it.”
A 4.0 student throughout his time in the program, Patterson recently received the Wayne C. Hall Undergraduate Scholarship. VCU’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter gives the $3,000 award annually to a rising senior who has exhibited academic achievement and leadership potential.
Patterson said his professors encouraged him to apply for the award due to his straight-A status and pursuit of leadership opportunities beyond the classroom. “It’s just cool to see that my hard work is paying off,” he said.
Faculty support has played a central role in Patterson’s development, both professionally and personally. He credits the department’s culture of mentorship for helping him recognize his broader impact – and that he’s not “just here to get the degree.”
Earlier this year, Patterson demonstrated his leadership skills when he attended the Virginia General Assembly as a student representative with the Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists. Alongside fellow students and professional mentors, he advocated against House Bill 452, proposed legislation that expanded licensure exemptions for radiologic technologists.
For Patterson, the issue was fundamentally about patient well-being and professional standards. “Minimizing the licensure of a very important job means making it cheaper to employ people while not looking out for patient safety,” he said. “Hopefully my words did something.”
While still early in his career, Patterson is already thinking ahead. After working as a radiation therapist, he plans to pursue further education in dosimetry, the process of implementing the proper radiation dosage delivered during procedures.
With one year remaining in his undergraduate studies. Patterson reflects on his origins and progress with groundedness and humility. “I’m really from a very small area,” he said, “and to have come as far as I have at this point is crazy to me.”