Westmont Magazine Memorial Scholarship Honors Patrick Steele ’97

The Patrick Steele Memorial Scholarship Endowment, generously funded by his parents, Kirk and Bonnie Steele, in 2019, honors Patrick’s life and legacy. A double major in communication studies and economics and business, he suffered a tragic accident in his senior year that left him permanently paralyzed. 

Greg Spencer, professor emeritus of communication studies, knew Patrick well and visited him regularly. “When you think of Patrick, you mainly think about his sweet spirit, his intellectual curiosity, his belief in his Savior, his creative business mind, and his love for his family,” Spencer says.

For 20 years, Patrick lived as full a life as he could. He married his sweetheart, Carrie Hicks Steele ’98, and they had a son, Jack. Patrick underwent a variety of mostly unsuccessful surgeries and procedures aimed at reducing his significant pain. “He always had hope there would be some new discovery that would work,” Spencer says. “He pleaded with God about his condition, had his ups and downs, but did not give up his faith.

“Sadly, in October 2017, Patrick died after a procedure that was one more hope-filled attempt to rid himself of his combined agony of pain and paralysis.

“What sadness to lose this cheerful, devoted man. What joy to extend his legacy at Westmont through this scholarship fund.”

The scholarship will allow future Westmont students to benefit from the growth and development Patrick, his wife, Carrie, his sister, Lisa Steele Johnson ’95, and her husband, Steve Johnson ’95, all experienced.

Brian Landis ’97 says Patrick actively served his community and helped meet critical needs around the world despite his ongoing pain. Landis donated a Geochron Digital 4K World Clock, now installed in Ritchie’s Place in the Global Leadership Center, in Patrick’s memory to encourage students to serve Jesus Christ throughout the world. 

When 1997 alums celebrated their 25th reunion in November, the college encouraged them to honor their classmate by designating a gift to the Patrick Steele Memorial Scholarship Endowment.