VT College of Science Magazine Fall 2005 | Page 14

Patricia Caldwell in New York
is not all that accessible. I love visiting Blacksburg, but it’s
hard to get there from here.
What is your vision for the College of Science?

Fourth Generation Hokie
Named College of Science Distinguished Alum
Her great grandfather was a member of the first class of
Virginia Tech. More than 130 years later, Pat Caldwell is
honored for her Hokie spirit.
Daniel Franklin Hale from Giles County, Va., paid for his
education at the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College
(later known popularly as Virginia Tech) with a steer.
That was in 1872. By the time his great granddaughter,
Patricia “Pat” Caldwell entered the university in 1967,
tuition had gone up just a bit. Caldwell, a native of New
York, graduated with a degree in mathematics in 1971
and went on to achieve success as a financial analyst and
investment banker.
Last spring, Caldwell, a managing director with Gordian
Group LLC of New York, was the recipient of the first ever
Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Science
(COS). She was selected for her exceptional service to the
university as well as her professional achievements and
community service.
Caldwell was a long-time member of
Virginia Tech’s former College of Arts
and Sciences Alumni Roundtable
and is currently chair of the COS
Roundtable. In addition, she served
on the Virginia Tech Foundation
board and is currently a member
of the university’s capital campaign
steering committee. To date, seven
students in the COS have received
scholarship money in her name.
David Franklin Hale
in his 1875 cadet

officer graduation
photo. Courtesy VT Photo
Archive.

Recently, we asked Pat to share
her thoughts on being actively
involved with the university and her
visions for the College of Science.
Following is an excerpt from that
interview.

How did you first become involved in the
university as an alum?
Caldwell: For