Bronze Star recipient Roy Caldwood will share his journey of resilience and valor from his U.S. Army Service to his work in corrections at Rikers Island.
The public is invited to discover “living history” during Saint Leo University’s upcoming Research Symposium featuring legendary 101-year-old U.S. Army veteran Roy Caldwood on Thursday, October 26.
Guest speaker Caldwood will share his journey of resilience and valor during World War II and later as a corrections officer at Rikers Island. The event will take place 11 a.m., Thursday, October 26, at the Student Community Center, Greenfelder-Denlinger Boardrooms, 33701 County Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574. Those who cannot attend in person may attend via Zoom at www.saintleo.edu/caldwood. RSVPs are required to attend via Zoom and participants are asked to email karen.hannel@saintleo.edu.
This event is sponsored by the university’s Department of Social Sciences, the College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services, Office of Military Affairs and Services, the Caribbean Students’ Association, and Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society.
Caldwood served in Italy during World War II as part of the renowned Buffalo Soldiers, the 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, named after the 19th century African American cavalrymen. He holds the esteemed title of being the last known Buffalo Soldier in the state of Florida, recognized by the National Buffalo Soldier organization.
As a U.S. Army Bronze Star recipient and the author of the memoir Making the Right Moves: Rikers Island & NYC Corrections, his story resonates with courage and resilience, stated the organizers of the event. Earlier this year, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor proclaimed April 5, 2023, as Roy Caldwood Day. He also received the New York City Department of Corrections Medal of Honor.
This is an opportunity for the Saint Leo community and the public to hear about the remarkable life and achievements of Roy Caldwood. This is living history and will be of interest to all — especially those interested in history, diversity and inclusion, criminal justice and corrections, veterans’ issues, and more.
Signed copies of Making the Right Moves: Rikers Island & NYC Corrections will be available for sale at the event at Saint Leo University.
Requests for accommodations can be made by emailing Section504@saintleo.edu. For more information, visit saintleo.edu/accommodations.
For more information, contact Dr. Janis Prince, chair of the Department of Social Sciences and associate professor of sociology, at (352) 588-7254 or janis.prince@saintleo.edu.
Funding for this symposium was made possible in part by a Sociological Research Grant from Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society. The views expressed in written symposium materials and by speakers and presenters do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of Alpha Kappa Delta; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Alpha Kappa Delta.