Sebert Lansden Pate: making a difference by supporting nursing students

This year's scholarship recipients, standing (L to R) Chasity Jones, Kim Perez and Jinifer Richards; Seated: Ariahnna Romero, Carmen Ayala and LaShonda Rice

Fort Worth, TX

8/10/2009

By: Laura Hopper, Schieffer School of Journalism

Sebert Pate wanted to make a difference in the world. He spent most of his life giving back to the community of Fort Worth. He was a businessman, a patron of the arts and an annual contributor to TCU’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences scholarship funds.

Born on Sept. 25, 1928 in Fort Worth, Sebert went on to graduate from Peacock Military Academy and Texas A&M University. He also earned degrees from TCU and Tulane University. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and worked in the banking and oil industries.

Throughout his life, Sebert was a very generous man. He was a benefactor for the Modern, Amon Carter and Kimbell Art museums. He also supported many other organizations, including the Fort Worth Zoological Association, Cook Children’s Medical Center and the Fort Worth Symphony.

In 1970, Sebert and his brother, Aggie Pate, started a TCU scholarship for undergraduate minority nursing students. The main purpose for these scholarships is to help students in need and to increase the number of nurses. There is a nationwide nursing shortage and recipients of the Sebert L. Pate Graduate Student Scholarship in Nursing will help add to the number of graduates in the field.

Every year, six to eight students are awarded the scholarship, which does not cover the full tuition, but pays a large portion of it. A past recipient said, “I would have not gotten my education without this scholarship.”

"Sebert Pate ensured many generations of students to come will receive the funds needed to complete a degree of nursing," said Dr. Paulette Burns, dean of Harris College of Nursing & Sciences. "He was a very generous man who wanted to make a difference and help minority students achieve their goals."

Sebert Pate passed away on June 26, 2009 at his home in Fort Worth. He was a man of fine character, respected by all who knew him. He and his brother, Aggie, supported TCU through annual contributions for over 40 years. Even after his death, Sebert will continue to help those in need through scholarships to TCU nursing students.

Read more about this year's scholarship recipients.