Phyllis Darden-Caldwell
I am pleased to inform you that Phyllis Darden-Caldwell has been appointed Director of Alumni Affairs at Prairie View A&M University, effective January 1, 2023. A prominent PV volunteer, Phyllis graduated from the university with a B.S. in 1980 and an M.S. in 1981.
Over several decades, Phyllis has set the standard for alumni involvement. She served on the Prairie View A&M University Capital Campaign Cabinet as Co-Chair of Special Alumni Gifts. The Campaign raised $32.6M. She was also a co-founder of the PVAMU Foundation, serving as Trustee/Corporate Secretary from 2009-2015. Additional committee service includes the Sports Hall of Fame Executive Committee, the College of Juvenile Justice Center Advisory Board, the Homecoming Committee, and many others. Phyllis has also volunteered extensively with the Athletics Department to re-engage former student-athletes and identify fundraising opportunities for athletic programs.
Known for her passionate advocacy of alumni involvement with current students, Darden-Caldwell has said, “through mentorship, students can see ‘alumni giving back’ in action. … as alumni, we are obligated to become self-appointed Ambassadors of Prairie View A&M University and the “Chairperson” of our own personal Recruitment Committee. Alumni should each seek to promote the university to prospective students and donors while contributing our time, talent, and treasure. As alumni, we are obligated to listen to and mentor students while providing network opportunities that eliminate some of the obstacles that we faced as students and young graduates.”
Honored in March 2017 by the Prairie View Women’s Week Committee as a PV Girls Rock Honoree and the naming of the Phyllis Darden-Caldwell Alumnae Legacy Award, which is to be awarded each year to a deserving alumna, she has been recognized repeatedly for her generosity to Prairie View. In 2019, a bench was placed in her honor in front of the Memorial Student Center for contributions to the university.
Phyllis retired as a paralegal after 31 years with the international law firm Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., where she practiced in the areas of complex litigation and antitrust from case inception to trial and case appeal. She served on the firm’s Pro Bono Advisory Committee, Paralegal Advisory Committee and was the coordinator of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.’s Innocence Project Paralegal Pilot Program, which led to the exoneration of several wrongfully convicted defendants in Texas.
Please join me in welcoming Phyllis as Director of Alumni Affairs.
Ruth J. Simmons, President
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