Students and faculty are remembering John Schmidt of Holly, a student who died last Wednesday due to complications from cancer.
After Schmidt was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, he left the university during the winter 2012 semester to receive treatment.
After a 19-month battle, he passed away in St. Paul’s Hospital in Dallas,TX from pneumonia.
One of the biggest issues for Schmidt was receiving a bone marrow transplant because he was an only child of a mixed race. His father was German and English, his mother half South American Indian and half Spanish.
Schmidt wrote about this in a blog on Huffington Post in his August entry “My Journey to Transplant.”
“It was really hard to have any optimism when my doctor recently told us that my genetics only opened a few doors when it came to being cured,” Schmidt wrote.
As a freshman, Schmidt entered the Living Leadership program, a living learning community designated to develop and practice leadership skills through community service, attending sponsored events and leadership conferences and becoming active members of on-campus organizations.
“It was fun to see him transition, learn and grow,” said Elyse Ledy, MAP-Works Coordinator and interim Living Center North resident director. “I was really proud of him for that.”
Ledy worked with Schmidt as his big in the program.
She remembers hanging out with him in the first floor LCN lounge, where he’d often show her new music.
“He was always excited to share new music,” Ledy said.
Through the LLP program, Schmidt roomed and became friends with Greg Gardner.
“We were best friends,” Gardner said. “I remember pulling all nighters for no reason with him and staying up all night doing nothing.”
His sophomore year, Schmidt participated in the Model United Nations, where he snagged awards for best delegations with Trent Varva at a conference.
Varva said the delegation would not have received awards without the help of Schmidt.
“He was great at talking with other delegations, and he was really charismatic,” Varva said. “He played a pivotal role in winning best delegation.”
Also in 2011, Schmidt joined the Iota class of fraternity Phi Kappa Tau.
Assistant professor of political science John Kaczynski oversaw both organizations as adviser.
“His smile was contagious,” Kaczynski said. “He was one of the bravest people I’ve ever met.”
In 2012, Schmidt became the vice president of recruitment for the organization.
“He was undoubtedly passionate,” said Phi Kappa Tau member Eric Neuenfeldt. “Everything he did, he gave 110 percent.”
Many Phi Kappa Tau members recalled having conversations with Schmidt following his departure from the university. They said Schmidt would often give a small update on his situation, but always turn the conversation back on the other, asking how they were doing and how organization plans were going.
Schmidt continued helping with the organization’s traditions while away.
“Even when he left, he still gave back,” theater senior Nathan Salcido said.
“It’s awesome to see how many lives one person affected,” Ledy said. “You can make a difference no matter what you’re involved in.”
A memorial service is being planned to be held in New York, New Jersey and Michigan.
Plans are underway to host a candle vigil at the university to celebrate Schmidt’s life. Other plans include doing something special in his honor at Relay for Life. Organizations such as Forever Red, Student Association and the National Residence Hall Honorary are looking into creating a scholarship in his name.
“His biggest fear was being forgotten here,” Gardner said. “But he directly made an impact here. He’ll never be forgotten.”