Don and Sylvia Schmid

The Don and Sylvia Schmid American Indian Child Welfare Leadership Scholarship in the College of Social Work was initiated by the Schmids in 2001. Of this honor, Don says, “My wife and I believe very strongly in the value of education. My life’s work in social work was greatly influenced and shaped by my experiences on two reservations, particularly the Spirit Lake Reservation. I believe that the most long-lasting changes in conditions on reservations, as well as what Native Americans experience off reservations, will happen when there are Native leaders leading the agencies that provide the services.”