Virginia Tech received a transformative $10 million estate gift from alumni couple Cathie and Tom Woteki, announced on January 28, 2026, to propel transdisciplinary data science initiatives bridging the College of Science and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The endowment, split nearly evenly between the two colleges, will fund endowed chairs, professorships, faculty fellowships, and graduate support, aiming to foster data-driven breakthroughs in agriculture, food systems, health, and beyond.
Tom Woteki, who earned his B.S. ’68 in mathematics, M.S. ’72 in mathematics, and Ph.D. ’74 in statistics from Virginia Tech’s College of Science, pioneered data applications in sectors including energy surveys for the U.S. Department of Energy, SEC’s EDGAR system, Merck clinical trials, American Red Cross blood management, Northrop Grumman’s Defense Travel System, and Cisco telemedicine. He joined Virginia Tech in 2018 as professor of practice, founded the Academy of Data Science , and retired in June 2025 as professor of practice emeritus, honored in September 2025 ( Virginia Tech News ).
Cathie Woteki, with an M.S. ’72 and Ph.D. ’75 in human nutrition and foods from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, shaped U.S. agriculture and nutrition policy as USDA chief scientist and undersecretary, overseeing key agencies. A National Academy of Medicine member, Biden advisor, and 2023 inductee into Virginia Tech’s CALS Hall of Fame, she served as Iowa State dean and now leads the Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Foundation ( Virginia Tech News ).
Endowment Breakdown Powers Faculty and Students
The gift allocates $2 million for the Cathie and Tom Woteki Endowed Chair in the College of Science; $2 million for the Cathie and Tom Woteki Distinguished Professorship Endowment in CALS; $2 million for CALS Faculty Fellows Endowment; $1.5 million for a Data Science Faculty Fellowship Endowment in the College of Science; $1.5 million for a Graduate Fellowship Endowment there; and $1 million for a CALS Graduate Student Fund. College of Science receives $5.5 million total, CALS $4.5 million.
“We both have benefited so much from the fabulous grounding that we got as students at Virginia Tech,” Cathie Woteki said. “I’ve spent time as a college dean myself, and know how valuable it is to be able to attract and retain outstanding faculty… being able to make data-informed decisions is critical.” The endowment supports the Academy of Data Science, which Tom founded and which launched a master’s program in fall 2025 after his leadership in approvals ( Virginia Tech News ; Virginia Tech News ).
President Tim Sands stated, “Their support for teaching and research will drive generations of future discoveries by giving faculty and students the necessary resources to push the boundaries of their fields.” This aligns with Virginia Tech’s global distinction priorities, enhancing collaborative data tools for ethical analysis and innovation.
Data Explosion Demands New Expertise
Tom Woteki emphasized, “Science has always been data driven, but what’s happening now is there’s an explosion of data… All areas of research, policymaking, and decision-making these days ought to be data driven… The goal is creating a community, a convergence that brings together disciplines of mathematics, statistics, and computer science as a foundation but puts all those tools into use in a way that can advance any particular discipline.” His career, including roles at Maximus and earlier advisory work ( ExecutiveBiz ), underscores practical data integration.
CALS Dean Mario Ferruzzi noted, “Today’s tools for data analysis are transforming the way we farm, produce, and deliver safe and nutritious food… This multifaceted gift will fuel many discoveries, fostering future leaders and policy makers who leverage data to make science-based decisions impacting the future of agriculture, food, and health.” College of Science Dean Kevin Pitts added, “This gift will transform what is possible… through the collaborative efforts underway within the Academy of Data Science.”
Under Tom’s tenure, the Academy transitioned the fast-growing Computational Modeling and Data Analytics undergraduate program, created faculty fellowships, hosted events like Women in Data Science Blacksburg (2023-25), and developed pandemic-era virtual lectures with the Northern Virginia Technology Council. These efforts position Virginia Tech as a data science leader in the commonwealth ( Virginia Business ).
From Policy Powerhouses to Campus Catalysts
Cathie’s influence spans White House roles, including co-authoring Clinton’s “Science in the National Interest,” directing the National Academy’s Food and Nutrition Board, and Global Director of Scientific Affairs at Mars. Appointed to Biden’s PCAST in 2021, she advised on science policy ( VTx ; White House ). The couple’s prior philanthropy includes a 2021 match at University of Mary Washington.
The endowment targets faculty retention and attraction amid data demands in farming, food delivery, and community health. It builds on Tom’s vision from 2020: data science handles “volume, variety and velocity,” beyond numbers to text and images ( Virginia Business ). No recent X posts or additional web coverage emerged since the January 28 announcement, highlighting its fresh impact.
By endowing positions, the Wotekis ensure perpetual resources for transdisciplinary work, elevating Virginia Tech’s role in data-informed agriculture and science. Their gift embodies *Ut Prosim*, extending careers that bridged industry, policy, and academia into enduring institutional strength.
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