2012 Volunteer Service Award recipient Patricia A. Koogler (Pat)

Pat Koogler graduated from Wright State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in Education in 1980 from the College of Education and Human Services. After her graduation in 1975, she was hired by the Xenia Community Schools where she graduated high school and also where both parents were employed, her father as a teacher and her mother as a school secretary. One of her proudest moments was walking into her first official teachers meeting with her mother and father. 

During her career in Xenia, Pat served on many district committees and textbook adoption boards. She was a Faculty Advisory representative to the Superintendant as well as a Unit Leader for the upper grades. She also was her staff’s representative to the Xenia Education Association for 20+ years, holding the office of secretary, as well as participating on several contract negotiations teams.

The majority of her 30 year career was spent at McKinley Elementary teaching 5th and 6th graders. It was then she, with the help of former WSU Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Brown, developed the Raider Math program in which her students used the team information to learn statistics. Many times through the years, the students were treated to visits by the players. Students and players often exchanged letters of encouragement before crucial games or classroom tests. She also was able, thanks to WSU Athletic Director Bob Grant, to bring her students, parents, and families to a Wright State game each year to culminate the experience. As a result of her efforts, many of her students chose Wright State to further their education.

A Life member of the Alumni Association, Pat has been a member of the Greater Dayton Alumni Association for many years and has tirelessly volunteered her time for many Wright State University programs and events. A true Raiders fan, you most always see Pat and Tom at the men’s and women’s basketball games as well as other events. They have participated in many bus trips in addition to their own trips to away games.  One of her goals is to expand their support to other Raider sports and to tailgate in their RV at each one of the Horizon League schools.