The Kevin J. FitzPatrick Memorial Scholarship
Kevin J. FitzPatrick was an alumnus of the University of St. Thomas (M.Ed. 1977). On Sept. 21, 2021, Kevin died after heroically battling Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Born in St. Paul just blocks from the St. Thomas campus, Kevin became a well-known poet and long-time member of the Twin Cities’ literary community. More specifically, Kevin wrote several books of poems, had his poetry published in anthologies across the country, was a member of the Lake Street Writers Group, and for years edited The Lake Street Review receiving submissions from around the world. Kevin taught writing and poetry classes, including at the (then) College of St. Thomas New College. He generously mentored new writers and poets. Kevin gave many public readings.
Kevin was a poet of the Midwest. His poet’s voice was that of the heartland’s – direct, unadorned with a solid sense of place. In a St. Paul Pioneer Press review of Kevin’s book, Rush Hour, the reviewer said of Kevin’s poetry:
"FitzPatrick channels a personal voice with his past. This plain speech, these understated emotions are the Midwest. We speak our own flat language here. The wheat fields and the endless snows efface our dramas. FitzPatrick translates the way we talk. Read him and hear yourself."
Kevin kept writing poems right up until cancer physically stopped him. Kevin did so because being a poet was central to who he was.
In Kevin’s honor, his family has established The Kevin J. FitzPatrick Memorial Scholarship at the University of St. Thomas. Please consider remembering Kevin with a donation of any size to the scholarship fund.
For those interested in purchasing Kevin FitzPatrick’s books of poetry, you will find them here. The family will donate all profits from the book sales to the memorial scholarship fund in Kevin's name.
Thank you!