Helen Marshall Caldwell, the first woman to serve as vice chancellor for academic affairs at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, had the university’s School of Education and Psychology named in her honor. Dr. Caldwell first joined the faculty at ECSU in 1953 and served until 1997. She was vice chancellor for academic affairs for nine years.
At the dedication ceremony, a poem by Leonard A. Slade Jr., professor of Africana studies at the University at Albany and a former student of Dr. Caldwell, was read in her honor:
“Dr. Helen Marshall Caldwell”
Brilliant.
Classy.
Dedicated.
She was a loyal wife.
We admired. We see a sweet mother.
The sweetness making the soul noble,
Developing minds to the maximum.
And under her Vice Chancellorship
Elizabeth City State became nationally-ranked.
Here lives an intellectual giant
Regal with style and grace
A work celebrated that
Changed the world.
Her named immortalized
Her whole being made Divine.
Dr. Caldwell is a graduate of Virginia State University. She earned a master’s degree in speech from New York University and an educational doctorate from George Washington University.
Proud of Soror, Dr Caldwell for being honored by ECSU!
As a former mathematics student and football player for Coach Thomas L. Caldwell(deceased husband)of Dr. Helen M. Caldwell(mom), it is a pleasure and excellent opportunity to serve as the E. V. Wilkins Endowed Professor in the Helen M. Caldwell School of Education & Psychology.