Carolyn Patrick: Fond Memories from a Midship’woman’
In the years leading up to starting college, Carolyn Patrick didn’t even know about the University of Virginia. When it came time to apply, it was her friends and guidance counselor that pushed her towards the University. However, upon arriving on grounds Carolyn found a community that made a great first impression. Dabney, second floor, right hall, was Carolyn’s first home at U. Va. She instantly bonded with the other girls on her hall and is still friends with those people today. Carolyn still remembers the Friday and Saturday nights they shared at parties along Rugby Road.
Inside the classroom, Carolyn was an international relations major with a minor in Japanese. She wanted to take advantage of the University’s many foreign language options and try something new. Patrick ended up loving the language and the department. She recalls that it was a very small and close department that was an environment she enjoyed. One professor in particular stood out. His students all called him Professor Suzuki Sensei and he often invited his students to come see him play the drums in his band-- a testament to the relationship often cultivated between students and faculty at the University.
Though her first home was her residence hall, Carolyn’s second home was her Navy ROTC battalion. The U. Va. NROTC was founded in 1940 by University president John L. Newcomb. The first class graduated in 1943 and the midshipmen have called Maury Hall their home ever since. Within the first few days of arriving on grounds the midshipmen had to go through a training which Carolyn described as a “mini military boot camp.” Many of the ROTC customs were new to Carolyn, and there was an adjustment period of learning how to wear the uniform correctly and assimilate into the ROTC culture.
“The physical components of Navy ROTC were difficult for me, but I soon assimilated into it and by my fourth year I was the executive officer of the battalion.”
Carolyn felt the need to prove herself. As one of only four women in her battalion was striving to demonstrate her capabilities in a crowd where she was the minority. She felt as though she had to overcome a physical hurdle, going from being a high school cheerleader to a Navy midshipman in the blink of an eye. The experience of being a female ROTC officer, though new for Carolyn, had been known at the University for the nearly two decades since the College of Arts and Sciences officially coeducated in 1970. In the early years of coeducation, a young woman named Dorothy Nichols fought for her place in the ROTC program, and in 1975 Dorothy became the Unit’s first woman to graduate and receive a commission. The drive that pushed Carolyn to persevere landed her on the pistol shooting team. In her final year, propelled by hard work and dedication, Carolyn Patrick became the executive officer of her battalion.
The days leading up to graduation were bittersweet for Carolyn. A particularly funny memory was of her physics final. The professor had left the lecture hall and the room was silent as the students all took their test. That is, until the silence was broken by the unmistakable sound of a beer can being opened. Everyone in the room turned towards the sound and one student raised his can and said “cheers everyone” before turning back to his test. Finals were capped with beach week and all of the fun commencement activities. Despite all of the rush, Carolyn was also looking to the immediate future. As soon as she left school, she went to join her first duty station, the culmination of all of her efforts during her time at U. Va.