The John J. and Patricia L. FitzGerald Scholarship

The John J. and Patricia L. FitzGerald Scholarship was established in 2001 to honor two of the Notre Dame community's most dedicated and beloved members. Dr. John James FitzGerald was a distinguished professor of Philosophy and a Dean at Notre Dame starting in 1938, and remained active at Notre Dame until his passing in 2003. Mrs. Patricia LaSalle FitzGerald was a librarian at Notre Dame and also remained active in the community long after her retirement.

Notably, the FitzGeralds served as Directors of Notre Dame's SUNDEF program in Angers, France from 1978-1980. The FitzGeralds had both studied abroad (he in Belgium, she in France ) and had an immense love for International Studies. Their love and enthusiasm for such programs made the years spent abroad for the students of SUNDEF XIII and SUNDEF XIV very special indeed.

Some of the FitzGeralds' former students established the FitzGerald scholarship in 2002 in order to honor the FitzGeralds and keep their memories alive. In 2003, the scholarship reached “endowed” status.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a student who best meets the following criteria:

• plans to study in Angers, France, or, if not applicable,
• plans to study in another Notre Dame International Studies program
• has significant financial need which would otherwise preclude him/her from studying abroad

In return for the financial award associated with the scholarship, each recipient will be encouraged to eventually “give-back”, either financially or via some sort of community service which fosters International Studies, or both. The recipients will be considered part of a “family” of donors and recipients.  The goal is that the scholarship will continue to grow financially so that more students might be able to enjoy the benefits of International Studies; furthermore, the recipients should feel a bond to other award winners in what will be a constantly expanding group.

The recipients of the scholarship to date include:

 

2010-2011	Michael Fedynsky
2009-2010	Andrea Fernandez Claudia Braga-Henebry
2008-2009	Laura Beverly
2007-2008	Alexandra Bodewig Matthew Goodrich
2006-2007	Kristin Laboe
2005-2006	Paul Steinle
2004-2005	Peter Langer
2003-2004	Stephanie Dittert
2003-2004	Aimee Shelide
2002-2003	Elizabeth McCorry