Reinhart Gives Back by Establishing ‘SEMO University Citizen’ Endowed Scholarship
03/06/2017

The “SEMO University Citizen” Endowed Scholarship has been established through the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. Patricia Connor (Jackson) Reinhart of St. Louis, Missouri, made a $10,000 gift to the Foundation to establish the award. The renewable scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolled at Southeast with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.  The student must be employed on campus, have U.S. citizenship and be a member of at least one club, team or organization. First preference for the scholarship will be given to a student who is holding a leadership position in a club, team or organization, and second preference is for a female student. Applicants must submit a FAFSA form with Student Financial Services.  The University Scholarship Committee will select the recipient. Reinhart attended Southeast Missouri State University from 1977-1981 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science. She financed the total cost of her college education through scholarships (Lucille Farrar Russell, Lily Brucher Gehrs and Kappa Omicron Phi) and employment at the campus bookstore as the department manager. Reinhart struggled financially as a student and was frequently encouraged and mentored by members of the faculty to continue pursuing her education in spite of financial strains. She achieved her goal of earning a college degree and graduating debt free because of staff encouragement, on-campus employment and her aunt and uncle, Arthur and Julia Jackson, who generously provided her a place to live. Reinhart was on the Dean’s List and an active member of the Southeast community. She believes the skills she gained through participation in clubs, her sorority and organizations assisted her in achieving her future career and personal goals while serving as a leader in the campus community. At Southeast, she served in several organizations, including Delta Delta Delta sorority (chaplain, secretary, historian and fundraising chairman), Pi Kappa Alpha Little Sisters (president, vice president and secretary), Kappa Omicron Phi (guard), Home Economics Department (advisory board), Student Government (representative) and Marketing Club (research assistant).  She also was an intern at then Famous Barr department store. Reinhart became a successful sales manager in the consumer products industry by becoming vice president of U.S. and North American sales for companies such as Brown Shoe, Nestle Purina, Stride Rite and Procter & Gamble.  She also remained an active member of her community serving as president of PTO and director of education at her church. Reinhart and her husband John both recognize the importance of being an active, contributing citizen.  They carry the attitude forward helping and mentoring others wherever they go. Reinhart is the proud mother of three children whom all have launched successful lives and careers as a pediatrician in the U.S. Navy, director of communications and a Doctor of Education.  Her children also believe in the importance of citizenship as they too are actively giving back to their communities. Her dream was to someday have the financial ability to give back to Southeast Missouri State University.  She hopes that the recipient of this scholarship is an active citizen of the Southeast community who will someday do the same. For more information, please contact the Southeast Missouri State University Foundation at (573) 651-2203 or foundation@semo.edu.