In keeping with their America’s 250th Birthday focus, the Sabine Hall of Fame proudly announces a 2026 Patriot Award, which will go to honoree Kipling “Kip” Patrick, originally of Converse. Patrick is known nationally and around the world for his writing, photography, and passionate commitment to design effective strategies to deliver access to safe water, energy, and improved sanitation in developing countries.
The upcoming ban-quet, honoring Patrick San Antonio Ave. in Many and others, will be held at 6:30 PM. The evening Tuesday, March 31, at will include a seated din-VFW Post 4858 at 1738 ner, entertainment by the Southern Plainsmen Quartet, a wonderful slate of deserving award recipients and the unveiling of a bronze plaque. Banquet proceeds will benefit the Harmony Cove Lunch Program, a weekly outreach of Harmony Cove Baptist Church southwest of Florien.
Patriot Award honoree Kip Patrick was born and raised in Converse, the son of Larry and Paula Patrick. He has one brother, Todd. He attended Converse High where both of his parents were teachers. He was an outstanding student, demonstrating excellence in academics and sports. Before graduating from Converse High School, he received All-District honors in basketball, baseball, and track. He also won a belt buckle for showing his Hampshire pig, Oreo, at the Sabine Parish Fair.
Afterward, he earned a degree in Journalism from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches in 1995. During his studies at NSU, Kip served as Assistant Editor of The Current Sauce, NSU’s student newspaper, and also served two terms as Senator at Large.
En route to his college degree, he worked numerous jobs. Some of those jobs included work as a rigger builder on Red River Lock and Dam No. 55, working as a drive-thru attendant at Maggio’s in Natchitoches and work as a lifeguard at North Toledo Bend State Park in the summers.
After graduation from Northwestern and later a master’s certificate from George Washington University School of Political Management, Kip spent more than 20 years helping major corporations, global nonprofits, and local governments better tell their stories and promote their work. During those years with these groups, he had many interesting experiences in business and public settings. Over two decades, he became known as a highly- skilled, well-respected global communications and journalism professional who delivered award-winning programs that stayed on message, on time and within budget. His additional work includes extensive non-profit, agency and corporate background projects with expertise in strategy development, media relations, project management and content creation.
His area of study has given Kip a wide variety of amazing experiences, including the opportunity to speak at the United Nations. He was once interviewed by Al Roker for NBC’s “Today” show while dressed as a bowling pin. For one project, he spent several hours talking with mothers across Africa about their healthcare and energy needs.
A passion for helping people around the world who are truly in need has enlarged Kip’s professional career to include an impressive list of job credentials in New York City, Miami, Washington DC and elsewhere, serving global firms in media relations, as director, supervisor, strategic communications and more, from 1999-2007. Closer to home, he developed and implemented public relations and marketing program for the American Anthropological Association and America’s Wetland, a Shell-funded campaign to save coastal Louisiana. From 2012-2014, Kip was a freelance international contributor to National Geographic, CNN, Men’s Journal and Huffpost International covering topics including the environment and sustainable tourism. He and wife Liz were named “National Geographic Travelers of the Year” in 2014 for creating and leading a weekly volunteer program during a 16-month trip through Asia, Africa and Central America.
In 2013, Kip became Senior Consultant at the World Bank Water Program in Washington DC, where he was responsible for developing and ensuring effective execution of communications strategies for programs designed to deliver access to safe water, energy, and improved sanitation in developing countries.
Starting a couple of years later in 2015 until 2024, he served as the United Nations Foundation Senior Director for Global Advocacy and Communications, where he coordinated global efforts to make clean energy a development priority; oversaw increased investment in the issue to $2.2 billion in 2024; and also created and led the award-winning “Clean Cooking Is…” campaign to drive global awareness of and investment in clean energy. As a part of those efforts, he developed a PSA with actress Julia Roberts and Chef José Andrés Kip has also served as Senior Communications Officer with The Pew Charitable Trusts and Vice President of Public Affairs at the global public relations firm Ketchum, working in Washington DC, Miami and New York.
Currently, Kip Patrick continues as a senior consultant with the World Bank, responsible for creating compelling, strategic content for a partnership to end preventable deaths of women and children.
He’s visited more than 100 countries and still has a lot more to go. A longtime writer and photographer, his work has been published by CNN, National Geographic, Men’s Journal, the Baton Rouge Advocate, and the Sabine Index. Kip, his wife Liz, and their two children, Wyatt and Frankie, recently moved to Grand Junction, CO, his wife’s hometown, after a year in Valencia, Spain.
Please watch future issues of the Sabine Index for more information about this year’s slate of worthy honorees. Banquet tickets at $50 per person or tables may be obtained at the office of Robert Gentry, 605 San Antonio Ave., Many; Nichols in Many; from Martha Henderson at (318) 294-3362; from Laurie Gentry at (318) 332-7873; or at the Office of Senator Alan Seabaugh, 515 South Capitol St., Many. Major event sponsorships are also available. Contact one of the above persons for details.