Patrick Woodyard is a 2010 University of Mississippi graduate of the Croft Institute and Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. He holds a B.A. in International Studies (Global Economics & Business) and Spanish. While at Ole Miss, Woodyard was inducted into the Student Hall of Fame and served as the ASB director of community service, philanthropy chair and vice president of Sigma Chi Fraternity, founder/president of Hope for Africa (EDUganda), and founding member of Respect Mississippi.
After graduating, Woodyard pursued an opportunity through Peru Mission to work in microfinance in Northern Peru. While there, Woodyard was introduced to a massive community of shoemakers who possessed remarkable talent yet lacked access to the international marketplace. With a vision to support the Peruvian footwear industry and push the global fashion industry in a new, more sustainable direction, Woodyard co-founded Nisolo in late 2011.
Nisolo’s high quality leather shoes and accessories for men and women have been sold in all 50 U.S. states and over 60 countries. Through the ethical production of its products, Nisolo directly supports the livelihoods of more than 325 people across the globe and is considered to be one of the most respected brands on the forefront of the ethical fashion movement.
For his work with Nisolo, Woodyard was recently named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, recognized as an “Innovator Changing The South” by Southern Living Magazine, and named a Global Accelerator Entrepreneur by the United Nations. Woodyard resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Sally Ward (BA 10), and serves as a founding board member of the Nashville Fashion Alliance and the Nashville Social Enterprise Alliance.
Created in 1974, the Hall of Fame honors select alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to their country, state or the University of Mississippi through good deeds, services or contributions that have perpetuated the good name of Ole Miss.
Inductees into the Alumni Hall of Fame for 2016 are: David E. Brevard (BA 78) of Tupelo; James L. Cox, M.D. (63) of Atlanta; Thomas C. Meredith (EDD 71) of Oxford; Thomas J. “Sparky” Reardon (BAEd 72, PhD 00) of Oxford; and Constance Slaughter-Harvey (JD 70) of Forest.
T. Michael Glenn (BBA 77) of Memphis will receive the Alumni Service Award for service to the University and the Alumni Association over an extended period. Patrick Woodyard (BA 10) of Nashville, Tennessee, will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who have shown exemplary leadership throughout their first 15 years of alumni status in both their careers and dedication to Ole Miss.