Scholarship to honor Pamela Thompson's memory and benefit FSU nursing students

Pamela Thompson, who was just 19 years old when she was the victim of a violent crime near her apartment in Riverside, Calif., had a soft spot in her heart for those in need — she was always looking for a way to help others.

Thompson lived from age 4 to 13 in Largo, Fla., attending Mildred Helms Elementary School and Largo Middle School. She spent long hours playing near McKay Creek, which ran through her backyard. She had pet turtles, a dove named Peppermint and cats: Muffin, Tiger and Mittens. She was active in gymnastics and ran track and played basketball in middle school.

After returning to her native Southern California, Thompson attended University Heights Middle School, then John North High School, from which she graduated. Her aspirations of a career in health care, with a chance to care for children and infants, unfortunately would never become a reality.

Though Thompson’s life was cut short, her dream of pursuing a career in pediatric nursing will live on through a memorial scholarship established in her name at The Florida State University College of Nursing. The Pamela Thompson Scholarship fund was established in 2003 by Paul and Leah Einboden, both FSU alumni. Paul Einboden is Pamela’s uncle, who with his former wife, Peggy Gatliff, served as guardians and surrogate parents to Pamela and her sister during their time in Florida.

“I hope that this scholarship will help students with an interest in neonatal or pediatric nursing to pursue that path,” Einboden said.

In deference to the geographic regions where Thompson grew up, special preference will be given to students who are either from Pinellas County, Fla., the Tampa/St. Petersburg area of Florida or Southern California.

“In the wake of the tragic death of Pamela, Paul and Leah generously established this scholarship,” said Lisa Plowfield, dean of the College of Nursing. “Their thoughtfulness in building this legacy means that FSU nursing students will benefit and be able to care for untold numbers of infants and children in the years to come. In this way, Pamela’s love of life and caring for children will be honored and shared.”

On Dec. 19, 2009, the Pamela Thompson Scholarship became fully endowed by reaching and exceeding the $25,000 endowment threshold. This milestone will allow The Florida State University Foundation to invest the funds and the College of Nursing to begin awarding scholarships from the annual distribution.

“I anticipate the first scholarship award to be given in the fall 2010 semester and annually thereafter,” Plowfield said. “As the endowment grows, I hope we will be able to increase the number of students who benefit from this gift.”

Though he and Leah established the fund and have contributed significantly, Einboden prefers to focus on the gifts that others have made to date.

“Small gifts have great meaning, but so do those from people who never met Pamela but want to contribute to her legacy,” he said.

As the scholarship fund grows, it will continue to provide increased assistance to deserving nursing students. Gifts can be made online at http://foundation.fsu.edu or by mail to the FSU Foundation at 2010 Levy Ave., P.O. Box 3062739, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2739. Please include the fund number with your gift: F04593 (Pamela Thompson Scholarship Fund).