Class of 2024: Patrick Corrigan embodies the spirit of Ut Prosim

Patrick Corrigan plays many roles on Virginia Tech’s campus, in a vast number of circles. A common thread that connects them all? He dedicates his time to be of service to his peers, community, and country.

This spring, Corrigan will graduate with a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. In recognition of his academic achievements and service to the university, he has been named the Outstanding Senior for the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering. 

• Hometown: McLean, Virginia

• Major/minor: Aerospace Engineering with minors in Mathematics and Leadership 

• Campus involvement: Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Air Force ROTC, Highty-Tighties, InspireFly CubeSat team, residential well-being student leader, Hokie ambassador, aerospace and ocean engineering ambassador, Math Lab tutor

Honor through service, service through sacrifice

Virginia Tech’s motto of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) means something a bit different to each individual member of the Hokie Nation. For Corrigan, the choice to come to Virginia Tech and serve in the Corps of Cadets was rooted in joining a community dedicated to serving others. 

First-year cadets are trained in peer leadership and followership, and early on Corrigan began to reshape his ideas on what it means to be a leader. With each rising rank held in the corps, Corrigan has expanded his leadership skills. During his senior year, he played two pivotal roles – serving on the leadership team for a battalion made up of 250-plus cadets, and as a residential well-being leader for the corps.

Part of his role in guiding, training, and inspiring cadets included learning how to listen and have difficult discussions about personal struggles, academic pressures, and issues of mental health. For his commitment as a residential leader, Corrigan was awarded the Virginia Tech Aspire! Award for Civility.

“During his years in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, he distinguished himself with his academic acumen, work ethic, and ability to solve complex problems,” said Travis H. Sheets, deputy commandant for 4th Battalion. “However, Patrick is a rare find because his talents go beyond his intellect and initiative. His success in life is grounded by a set of intangible qualities that act as his foundation for action. His moral courage, curiosity, and selflessness separate Patrick from others I have worked with or taught.”

Inspiring fellow and future engineers

Outside of his engineering courses, Corrigan sought to expand his research skills and find experiences that would benefit future roles in the military. He was accepted into Professor Craig Woolsey’s research program, working on flight control laws and flying unmanned aircraft in the Nonlinear Systems Laboratory. He also gained undergraduate teaching positions for the department and completed a summer undergraduate internship at NASA Langley Research Center. 

Benjamin Simmons, NASA research aerospace engineer and three-time Hokie, crafted a challenging research project for the course of Corrigan’s 10-week summer internship. While NASA attracts exceptional research talent, Simmons said Corrigan clearly stood out from the pack. 

“Perhaps his most impactful accomplishment during his internship was spearheading a presentation for an annual Drone Camp organized by the Tuskegee Airmen Inc.,” said Simmons. “The camp strives to inspire at-risk middle school-aged youth to pursue STEM education and professions. Patrick gave a very engaging presentation on his work at NASA and Virginia Tech, serving as a great inspiration to the students. His vast accomplishments are clearly complemented by his desire to exemplify Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim.” 

Preparing to defend our nation

As for his goals for the future, Corrigan sees a career in the military as the way to have the most impact on community while also protecting the safety of the country. 

His first assignment after being commissioned? He will be stationed in Blacksburg as he completes his master’s degree in aerospace engineering, focusing on dynamics, control, and estimation under the supervision of Woolsey. He will be supported through the Air Force's DAWN-ED program, a fully funded graduate studies initiative dedicated to empowering military officers with advanced academic training to further the mission of the Air Force. After that, he hopes to attend test pilot school at Edwards Air Force Base and become a flight test engineer. 

“Virginia Tech has molded me into the leader I am today, dedicated to love and confidence in my abilities,” said Corrigan. “Every day, I strive to better myself as a person and a leader, always preparing myself to defend the nation in the best way I can.”