Dave Goodwin

The EMBRACE UT PROSIM AS A WAY OF LIFE Alumni Aspire! Award goes to a Virginia Tech alumnus who represents our hope for all our students – that they enrich their lives by fulfilling our university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Student Affairs has the honor today to present this award to someone whose heart for service reflects his deep connection to Ut Prosim.

Dave Goodwin graduated in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Virginia Tech’s College of Science.

As a student, he was active in Sigma Phi Epsilon, whose vision of “building balanced men through virtue, diligence, and brotherly love” was a great fit for what Dave brings to the world. His time as a Hokie instilled an enthusiasm for service that grew through the brotherhood’s volunteer projects, including efforts to improve food access.

His kind and thoughtful nature has grown to shine through his career, his family relationships, and so much of what he does.

Dave has built community service into his life, supporting causes including Scouting, youth sports coaching, animal rescue, mental health advocacy, native plant and wildlife habitat restoration, and services for at-risk youth.

Dave’s Ut Prosim spirit has a core of perseverance. He’s been an endurance athlete for four decades and as a coach has shared his knowledge, experience, and sheer joy of running with others, helping them cultivate the strength of will that comes from training to endure.

Just last month, Dave returned from a seven-day, 250-kilometer ultramarathon in the Sahara, and we were honored that he mentioned a vital part of Student Affairs, Cook Counseling Center, as helping fuel his motivation to complete that adventure.

One of Dave's far-reaching contributions to Virginia Tech is the endowed fund he has created for Cook Counseling Center in memory of his wife, fellow Hokie, and inspiration for so much of his service, Christina Goodwin.

This gift strengthens the vital resources Cook provides for our students, enhancing their access to mental health services that help them navigate university life and beyond.

Dave’s generosity helps sustain Cook’s essential work and helps our Hokies show up as whole people, surrounded by a community of care. Thanks to the services, groups, and programming that this endowment supports, our students can communicate their needs authentically, know they are heard, and give helpful attention to the stressors of academic and daily life.

Dave shared that his time at Virginia Tech helped him understand that service could be rewarding, especially as part of a team, and we are so grateful that Dave is on ours.

He inspires us to strive for excellence, serve with compassion, and make a positive impact in whatever lives we touch. He reminds us that we are made greater and our lives made fuller when we devote ourselves to a spirit of service.

Virginia Tech Student Affairs is honored to present the 2025 EMBRACE UT PROSIM AS A WAY OF LIFE Alumni Aspire! Award to Dave Goodwin.