Grey Patterson, a Linfield College sophomore from Tualatin, will study in Vienna, Austria, this fall with a helpful boost from his newly received James G. Stemler Study Abroad Scholarship.
Patterson, a music and computer science double major, chose to study in Vienna for several reasons. “It turns out that many music majors go to Austria, it’s almost a tradition,” he said. “Also, the school in Vienna is across the street from the Vienna State Operahouse, so it’s basically perfect for music nerds like me.”
Patterson received the award from the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, which recognizes academic achievement among first-year students. Students who earn a GPA of at least 3.5 in their first year and are in the top 20 percent of the first-year class are eligible for membership for the remainder of their Linfield education. The Stemler Study Abroad Scholarship gives $1,000 to 20 members of Alpha Lambda Delta nationwide who are pursuing a study abroad program for credit.
Patterson has studied abroad before through Rotary International, while he was in high school. “I spent half the summer hosting a Danish student here, and then he and I flew to Denmark together and spent the rest of the summer living with his family in Denmark,” he said. “I’m hoping to have the chance to go visit them while I’m abroad.”
Patterson is involved in the Linfield College Concert Choir, Men’s Glee Club and Not Your Forte, a student-run a cappella group. He was also recently awarded the William J. Burton Sophomore Choir Service Endowed Scholarship. Patterson is also an officer for the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, is a member of Fusion, the Harry Potter and Quidditch Society, an ASLC senator, a teaching assistant and tutor for computer science, a sound tech for the Linfield College Activities Team’s Cat Cabs and an audio recorder for the Linfield music department. It’s safe to say that Patterson is quite a leader on campus, and was also recently awarded the Linfield Leadership Award.
“I plan to take classes on German language and Austrian history, things I’d never have been able to find time to take back here so I’m excited,” said Patterson, who hopes to travel extensively when not in class.
