Pat Macaulay
The year was 1980 and Pat had just moved to Virginia. Her degree was to teach middle school math and science, but the teaching job market was tough. She had previously worked at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Miami and enjoyed working in higher education. So Pat took out the phone book to see if there was a university in the area. Lucky for us, she found the University of Richmond and gave them a call.
Flash forward 35 years--she receives the outstanding administrative staff award at the employee recognition ceremony!
Her first position with University of Richmond was as a floater, as she was expecting her first child. She filled in for employees that were sick or on vacation and experienced many different departments and staff members. Pat made many connections and lasting impressions across campus. These connections will come into play later in her career.
In September of ’80, Burt was born! She spent 3 months with him before receiving a call from the Chaplin, one of the offices she served as a floater for. He offered her a 9am-1pm position in his office as an assistant starting January of 1981.
Shortly thereafter, Pat applied and received a full-time position as a secretary in the psychology department where she remained for two-years. She then moved over to Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Bill Leftwich, as a secretary. At this time in history, computers were just starting to gain popularity. Pat was one of the very few at the university to receive a computer as a “test run” to see if it was worth the investment. Each of the secretaries to VP’s were issued a DEC Rainbow 100. She was so excited, that she took the directions and set it up herself.
By 1985, she welcomed her second son into the world, Alex. She had every intention of resigning to become a stay at home mother, but University of Richmond had other plans for Pat! Later that year, human resources called to offer her a secretary position in the Provost office. She accepted and worked with the Provost for 14 years.
During her time in the Provost’s office, she saw initiatives for more equitable pay between men and women and gender equality. Provost Zeddie Bowen was a strong advocate for educating against sexual harassment and was instrumental in changing the climate at the University of Richmond to parallel the changes happening in the United States. Pat said it was truly incredible to witness.
From 1999 to 2008, Pat worked in human resources. One of her most fond memories is of the skits HR put on annually for the spring fling! I believe some of her videos may have made it to YouTube, although she asks us not to look them up!
In 2008, she made her way over the the Robins School of Business where she serves as business manager in the dean's suite.
As she reflects over the 35 years she has spent at the University of Richmond (so far), she has happy memories, co-workers that turned to long-time friends and appreciation for the opportunities UR has given her. Pat has witnessed the growth through six university presidents and numerous expansions and renovations. The family feel, beauty of the campus and incredible colleagues makes coming to work everyday a pleasure for Pat.
In February 2016, Pat received the outstanding administrative staff award at the ceremony she looks forward to every year, the employee appreciation ceremony. She loves watching fellow Spiders get recognized for their contributions to the university, and this year she was among them!
"We have four values in the Robins School – integrity, respect, excellence, and community - and Pat embodies them all," Nancy Bagranoff, dean of the Robins School of Business, expresses, "Pat is truly a treasure of the University of Richmond and her service in her many university jobs throughout her career- in the Provost’s Office, in HR, and as our budget manager, have won her many friends and fans".
Pat with her family on stage at the ceremony.
RSB Dean Nancy Bagranoff congratulating Pat after receiving her award.