$10 million gift from Tom and Cathie Woteki advances data science collaboration

Virginia Tech alumni Tom and Cathie Woteki have made a $10 million commitment to strengthen transdisciplinary data science across the university’s College of Science and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The gift establishes new endowed chairs, professorships, and fellowships that will support joint research initiatives and graduate education.

The Wotekis’ endowment will fund six initiatives: faculty chairs and distinguished professorships in both colleges, faculty and graduate fellowships, and dedicated student funds to promote data-informed research in agriculture, food systems, and statistical sciences.

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands praised the couple’s decades-long engagement, saying their philanthropy “will give faculty and students the resources to push the boundaries of their fields.”

Tom Woteki, who served as founding director of Virginia Tech’s Academy of Data Science, previously held technology leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Energy, the American Red Cross, and Cisco Systems.

His wife, Cathie Woteki, a former chief scientist and undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is an internationally recognized expert in food and nutrition policy and a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

“Our experience at Virginia Tech shaped our careers,” said Cathie Woteki. “We wanted to create opportunities for future students and faculty to collaborate and innovate through data.”

Deans Mario Ferruzzi and Kevin Pitts emphasized that the Wotekis’ gift positions Virginia Tech for leadership in data-driven agriculture and science, accelerating its global distinction initiative.

“This multifaceted gift will fuel discoveries and help train future leaders who use data to make science-based decisions,” Ferruzzi said.