A Wolfpack Veteran’s Legacy
go.ncsu.edu/readext?1103186
en Español / em Português
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
Português
Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.
Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.
English
English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.
Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.
Collapse ▲Each Veterans Day, we pause to honor those who have served our nation, and for us at Caldwell County Extension, that includes one of our own.
Many know Allen Caldwell as a former County Extension Director and proud NC State alumnus. What some may not know is that before his career in Extension, Allen served his country as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War (1969–1971) a journey that began through NC State’s ROTC program.
“I joined the Army ROTC because one of my best friends was in the Air Force ROTC and convinced me to sign up,” Allen said with a laugh. But that decision would shape the rest of his life!
Vietnam veteran and NC State alumnus Allen Caldwell embodies the university’s land-grant legacy of service.
A University Founded on Service
When most people think of NC State, they picture the Wolfpack, red and white pride, or its reputation in engineering and agriculture. But the university’s foundation is built on something even deeper: a mission of service to the nation.
NC State was created as part of the Morrill Act of 1862, which established land-grant universities across the country. This act provided federal land to states to fund new public colleges focused on agriculture, engineering, and military tactics which are essential fields for building a strong, self-reliant country.
North Carolina answered that call in 1887, founding the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, known today as NC State University. The “military tactics” portion of that original mission was not symbolic, it represented the nation’s commitment to developing citizen leaders prepared to serve in both civilian and military life.
A Legacy of Military Education
From its earliest days, NC State wove military training into campus life. Under the National Defense Act of 1916, the university formally established its Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs. Since then, NC State’s Army ROTC alone has commissioned more than 2,500 officers, and today the university offers full programs for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
For veterans like Allen Caldwell, that training forged a lifelong connection to service.
“ROTC at NC State didn’t just teach discipline,” he recalls. “It taught leadership, responsibility, and patriotism.”
Those lessons carried Allen through his military service and later into his work with Cooperative Extension, where he continued serving but this time, through community education.
Serving Those Who Served
The land-grant promise of “education for the public good” lives on at NC State today through its Military and Veteran Services Office (MVS). This office supports nearly 3,000 military-connected students, including veterans, active-duty personnel, Guard and Reserve members, and their families.
Its mission is to help military-affiliated students transition from service to the classroom, persist through graduation, and move confidently into their chosen careers . This commitment has earned NC State both “Military Friendly Top 10” and “Gold” designations, recognizing it as one of the nation’s leading universities for veteran support!
The Land-Grant Promise Lives On
Though the world has changed since 1862, the heart of the land-grant mission remains the same: to use education, research, and outreach to strengthen communities and serve the nation.
For NC State, that includes supporting those who have worn the uniform through scholarships, counseling, leadership development, and a campus culture that values their service.
With more than 36,000 students and nearly 3,000 military-connected students, NC State continues to fulfill its land-grant mission of accessible, service-driven education.
“When I look at NC State students and younger generations today,” says Caldwell, “I hope they recognize the real contributions that our land-grant university makes.”
Allen’s life captures that legacy perfectly! From his time as an ROTC cadet to his years as Caldwell County’s Extension Director from 1996 to 2009. His path reflects what the land-grant mission has always stood for: service, leadership, and the betterment of others.
Closing Reflection
When asked what comes to mind as he reflects on his time at NC State and his military service, Allen’s answer is simple:
“It was an honor.”
From the early lessons in “military tactics” to today’s robust veteran support network, NC State continues to uphold its land-grant promise: to educate, to serve, and to strengthen the nation.
This Veterans Day, we proudly honor Allen Caldwell and all who have served our great nation. Their service reminds us that the spirit of the land-grant mission, and the heart of NC State, is, and always will be, rooted in service.
From one Wolfpack alum to another, thank you for your service, Allen, and GO PACK!!