Scholarships

Notre Dame Club of Lee County Scholarship Endowment Fund

Awarded in memory of Patrick James Kearns (1924-2005)

Established in August 2002, the Fund, with a current market value of over $18,000, provides financial aid to deserving Notre Dame students from Lee and Charlotte Counties.

The first annual award from the Fund was awarded 2006, and annually thereafter, in memory of Patrick James Kearns, a significant benefactor to the fund.

About Pat Kearns

Pat Kearns was born on October 14, 1923 in County Mayo, Province of Connaught, Ireland. In 1952, he came to America to visit an aunt and uncle in Staten Island, New York, and shortly thereafter moved to Phillipsburg, New Jersey. In 1954, he met and married his lovely wife Jean Bachman Kearns. They raised four children in Phillipsburg, where Pat was a founding member of the Phillipsburg Irish Society and a member of the Notre Dame Club of Phillipsburg. After arriving in Fort Myers in 1994, Pat became a founding member of the Irish Heritage Society and later supported the merger of the Irish Heritage Society with the Irish American Club of Lee County to form the United Irish of SW Florida.

Over the years, Pat and Jean were great supporters of the University of Notre Dame and visited the campus many times, particularly enjoying their trips to the Grotto. Their grand-daughter, Kelly Ann Kearns of Ramsey, N.J., is currently at Notre Dame.

Pat Kearns passed away on May 25, 2005. "Guh meg graw un mahar day err a anum". Jean Kearns currently spends her summers in Martins Creek, PA, and winters in North Fort Myers.

The United Irish of SW Florida sponsor many fun events including a December Christmas Party at the Royal Palm Theatre and a March 12, 2007 pre-St. Patrick's Day party featuring the Dublin City Ramblers. See their event calendar by visiting their web site at www.swflairish.com.