Mickey Fitzpatrick

A Clinical Psychology doctoral student with a passion for social justice issues has become the first recipient of a scholarship fund established earlier this year to memorialize the life of Petra Reim, a Clinical Psy.D. student who died unexpectedly in February 2008.

Mickey Fitzpatrick, who shared his classmate’s interest in multicultural psychology and social responsibility, was chosen to receive the scholarship by Clinical Psychology faculty. He is the first of 10 scholars—to be chosen annually over the next decade—to benefit from a gift made by the Reim family and matched by The Chicago School.

“I had classes and several stimulating conversations with Petra, which makes this scholarship particularly significant for me,” Fitzpatrick said. “It will allow me to carry on, through my own work, Petra’s passion and commitment.”

In establishing the scholarship fund, the Reim family asked that the money be used to support students in Clinical Psychology’s Multicultural/Community concentration. Petra, who came from Germany to study at The Chicago School, had chosen to focus on multicultural psychology, as has Fitzpatrick.

“Petra was passionate about psychology’s responsibility in countering social injustice,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s important that future recipients of this award understand why the scholarship is in existence. I want them to know what The Chicago School meant to Petra.”