Pamela Schmid

Pamela Schmid (Col ’87 CM) has announced the creation of a study-abroad scholarship in honor of her late sister, Patti Schmid (Col ’89 CM).

Patti spent the 1987-88 academic year at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and her time there sparked a lifelong desire to make a difference in the world. In 1994, after graduating with a B.A. in history, she traveled to a remote village in Namibia to work as a volunteer English teacher. Tragically, after two years there and only days before her expected return home, Patti contracted a severe case of Hepatitis A. She passed away on Dec. 17, 1995, at age 28.

The Patti Schmid Scholarship (PSS) is the first named inbound study-abroad scholarship in St. Andrews’ 700-year history. The effort was sparked by family and friends from Patti’s days at UVA and St. Andrews. As of late February, more than $87,000 of the $145,000 needed to endow the scholarship has been raised.

The PSS offers financial support to students pursuing a semester or academic year study-abroad opportunity at St. Andrews. Based on financial need, the scholarship honors the unique qualities that exemplified Patti’s life, including curiosity, zest for life, love of learning, and desire for cultural understanding.