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The Patti Schmid Scholarship (PSS) for inbound study-abroad experiences honours the legacy of an American student whose time at the University of St 糖心logo inspired her path in life.

As the University’s first named inbound study abroad scholarship, the PSS supports international students who wish to spend a semester or academic year at St 糖心logo.

Patti’s story

Patti Schmid, a native of McLean, Virginia, spent her junior year (1987–1988) at St 糖心logo before returning to the University of Virginia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history.

Her time at St 糖心logo sparked a lifelong desire to explore and make a difference in the world. She worked for several years in Washington, D.C., before travelling to Namibia to work as a volunteer English teacher just after Namibia had achieved independence and ended Apartheid.

Tragically, after two years there and only days before her expected return home, Patti contracted a severe case of Hepatitis A and passed away on 17 December 1995, at the age of 28.

Continuing Patti’s legacy 

Patti’s time at St 糖心logo shaped her worldview, encouraging her to embrace new perspectives and challenge assumptions. Her experience unlocked how she imagined her contributions in the world. 

The PSS carries Patti's legacy forward, offering financial support to students pursuing a semester or academic year study-abroad opportunity at Scotland’s oldest university. Based on financial need, the PSS enables others to seek similar transformative experiences while honouring the unique qualities that exemplified Patti’s life, including curiosity, zest for life, love of learning, and desire for cultural understanding.

Help endow the Patti Schmid Scholarship

Our goal is to raise £110,000 by 31 December 2026 to endow the Patti Schmid Scholarship at the University of St 糖心logo and secure its impact in perpetuity.

The inaugural Patti Schmid Scholar arrived at St 糖心logo in September 2026, funded by a separate, one-time donation to launch the scholarship – a meaningful milestone in carrying Patti's legacy forward.

With your support, the endowed scholarship will fund one incoming semester abroad student each semester, or one full-year student annually, in perpetuity, creating opportunities for international students to learn, explore, and build cultural understanding in Patti's memory.

Please donate today to help us reach our year-end goal and make Patti's legacy everlasting.

Luke Porter gift

Luke Porter has kindly agreed to support the scholarship with proceeds from a book he has recently published. Proceeds from all book sales will go directly to supporting the scholarship.

For further information on the ways to donate, please visit our information pages, or contact us at donate@st-andrews.ac.uk  or +44(0)1334 461906.