Claire Harlin, editor-in-chief for The Daily Texan

He has a talent for expressing his thoughts through words, but that talent can't exist without great thoughts — and Patrick's curiosity, creativity, intelligence and ability to reason are what impress me most about him.

I'm not the only one who is impressed by Patrick. I've had sources he has interviewed call me to comment on how professional and friendly he is. When I was at the Carnegie New Media summit in NYC in January, I shared a cab with UT professor and soon-to-be journalism school director Tracy Dahlby. That was the first time we had met, and when I introduced myself as the Daily Texan editor, the first thing Dr. Dahlby asked is if I know Patrick Caldwell. We conversed for several minutes about how impressed we are with him.

Vanessa Orr, former head of the Life and Arts Department for The Daily Texan

In the Life & Arts office, we see a lot of students who want to just write reviews and share their opinions. Patrick understands that journalism is about discovering and sharing what's going on in the world with other people. In the years Patrick has spent at the Daily Texan, 95 percent of his work has been interviewing and reporting -- not reviewing. He's interviewed Jim Hightower about his book and political activism in Texas. He's interviewed Laura Dunn and Robert Redford about the concern of their documentary "The Unforseen," the conflict between the environment and real estate developers in Austin. He's managed and edited DT Weekend, a fantastic installment about the weekend entertainment scene in Austin.  The events he's managed to discover and find always astound me. I'm always amazed at what Patrick knows or discovers about both the local and national entertainment scene. I think that including Patrick in your list would show both potential and actual journalists that entertainment journalism isn't a lazy endeavor for people who just want to talk about pop culture. It's an active process. It's journalism.

I would have to say his greatest is probably his most personal - successfully scoring an interview with Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney, one of his all-time favorite bands.

I remember when Patrick told me he was going to try and get the interview. Patrick is normally calm, cool, and collected. For the most part, he’s stoic with a touch of humorous irony. This time, his hands gestured in nervous excitement. He even grinned goofily.

When he interviewed her, it’s the closet I’ve ever seen him to losing his composure. Patrick has interviewed lots of famous, influential people. This is the only time I’ve seen him laugh nervously and confess what a huge fan he was. Immediately after that, it was back to business. All in all, it encapsulates why he’s an amazing journalist. He’s Patrick Caldwell – passionate, professional, and graceful under pressure.

Tracy Dahlby, professor for the University of Texas

Patrick is a meticulous researcher with a sharp mind and a bright and elegant writing style. He has a genuine flair for breaking down complex issues into a style of presentation that makes them accessible to a general audience -- something that I think belongs at the heart of the journalist’s craft.

Source | DT Weekend
On April 2, 2007, police in Lenora, Texas put out an arrest warrant for musician Billy Joe Shaver, who shot a man, Billy Bryant Coker, in the face with a handgun.

Source | The Daily Texan
Last weekend saw millions of Americans flee the heated comfort of their homes to experience the monster movie charms of "Cloverfield." Though sold on the basis of its cinema verite style and you-are-there thrills, the "Cloverfield" monster offers only the second most terrifying way to die in a movie this season.

Source | The Daily Texan
Troy Dillinger was a mere pup of 17 when he first encountered the White Trash Revue, the wild show band that dominated the Austin club scene in the mid-1980s. From moment one, he knew he had to get in on the fun ­- and he wasn't even supposed to be there.

Source | DT Weekend
Jamie Stewart grew up during very dark times for American popular music.

“The era was the early ’80s, in Los Angeles, and all my friends were listening to Poison and Guns ‘n Roses and Motley Crue,” Stewart recounted. “Everything popular was crap, basically.”