Dr. Caldwell Named Chancellor “Dr. Caldwell is eminently prepared for this challenge, and is the right person to put the University back together after the most serious crisis in our history. Her comprehensive training and experience in the mission of the regional university, and her understanding of curricular and teaching methodologies will keep Eastern at the forefront of higher education in the Southwest. Sandra and I wish her every success!” Dr. Robert Matheny, 7th ENMU President
Little in her background would have predicted an easy transition from the frenzied world of Los Angeles to a university on the high plains of eastern New Mexico. Photo by Times Remembered Photography Studio
Patrice and her sister Ellen, identical twins, were born in Los Angeles, California, the children of obstetrician-gynecologist
Dr. Patrice Caldwell was named Eastern New Mexico
father, Dr. William G. Caldwell, and mother, the Hollywood Golden
University’s 11th and first female president this fall, capping
Age actress Joan Leslie. The sisters attended Catholic schools in
her fortieth year at the University. Named interim president
the neighborhood and then the University of Southern California
when Dr. Jeff Elwell resigned for health reasons effective
for their bachelor’s degrees.
April 24, 2020, she was named president and system chancellor on Sept. 25, 2020 by the ENMU Board of Regents.
Both sisters planned on teaching careers, but a few months before graduation, their faculty advisor pointed out UCLA was only
“We are so thankful Dr. Caldwell agreed to continue her
10 miles away. They applied and were accepted to the English
position with the University,” Board of Regents President Terry
graduate program.
Othick said. “We appreciate and respect her leadership.”
Seven years later, they completed their advanced degrees,
To many, choosing continuity, familiarity and loyalty in its
dedicating their dissertations to each other and acknowledging
next leader just made good sense. But the title comes with a
the influences of their father’s love of history and their mother’s
daunting collection of challenges — a pandemic, an economic
love of the arts, literature and reading. Ellen headed to Vanderbilt
downturn, and fundamental changes to higher education.
University, and then Kalamazoo College in Michigan.
“Eastern has weathered many challenges in its history and has
For Patrice, the next stop, and her only stop, was Eastern New
done so brilliantly, resiliently and modestly. We can manage
Mexico University in 1980.
these times as well,” acknowledged Dr. Caldwell.
Accepting the assistant professorship of English and director of
Dr. Caldwell with friend and mentor, Dr. Jack Williamson (MA 57 BA 57), circa 2000.
Freshman Composition at ENMU was a leap of faith. “From where I was raised, New Mexico was as exotic and remote as the moon,” Patrice recalled. “And everyone I knew said, ‘She’ll never stay.’”
Left to right: Ellen and Patrice at their high school graduation, May 1968. The sisters with their father, Dr. William G. Caldwell, at their USC graduation. Dr. Caldwell with mother Joan Leslie shortly after Dr. Caldwell was named Dean.
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Green & Silver | December 2020
After blowing up balloons for 2015 commencement with longtime friends Dr. Nancy Warr, Mary Louise Shoemaker (MA 78, BA 73) and Betty Williamson (BS 83).
