¦ April 24, 2009
SAM SCHMIDT TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
Distinguished Alumni Award from Pepperdine University To Be Presented on May 2

The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is pleased to announce that Sam Schmidt will be presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Frank R. Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA on May 2, 2009. Schmidt will be recognized for both his professional achievements and philanthropic leadership.

“I am privileged to be included in such a renowned group of individuals,” said Schmidt, founder of The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation.  “To this day, I draw from the academic and social lessons learned at Pepperdine and the inspiring people I continue to meet by my involvement with the University.”

Schmidt received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Seaver College in 1986, and his MBA in International Finance from the Pepperdine University Graduate Business School in 1987.  He is a Pepperdine Management Partner, member of the Seaver College Board of Visitors and Pepperdine Associates.

After graduation, Schmidt became one of the youngest Hospital Administrators in the industry at age 24 for Paracelsus Healthcare.  In 1989, he started Performance Enterprises that played an active role in Arnette Sunglasses, Copart Inc., real estate and financial investing. 

A racer since age 5, Schmidt progressed from motocross to SCCA Road Racing and finally to the Indy Racing League.  Highlights include National Championships, an IRL victory at Las Vegas Speedway in 1999, and leading the Indianapolis 500.  However, a practice-run crash in January 2000 left him with a devastating spinal cord injury that paralyzed him from the chest down.  Just twelve months after his disabling accident, Schmidt founded Sam Schmidt Motorsports. The professional racing team has dominated the Firestone Indy Lights Series with 27 race victories and three Series Championships.

While in recovery from his accident, Schmidt recognized that he was very blessed to have a strong support system, financial resources and good insurance.  His family and friends helped him found the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation out of a desire to assist others not as fortunate and to find a cure for paralysis.  Schmidt has taken the passion and commitment that made him one of America’s top race car drivers, and has focused that energy on creating a broader awareness of spinal cord injuries.

Among his many honors, Schmidt has received the Visionary Leadership Award from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Humanitarian Award from the Las Vegas Walk of Stars Foundation.  Schmidt sits on the boards of the Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Center and Speedway Children’s Charities. 
 
The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented each year to a Pepperdine alumnus who has provided an outstanding service to the University or through a series of achievements in their profession that brings great honor and distinction to the University.

“Sam’s leadership continues to reflect excellence. He has demonstrated extraordinary generosity of time, talent and resources, and his efforts have touched many people,” said Ida Cahill, President of Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation.  “We are proud of Sam’s career achievements, values-centered leadership and hope that others will be inspired by him.”

Schmidt will give a brief speech to all Spring Seaver graduates and their guests.  He will be joined by Keynote Speaker John Lasseter, Director and Chief Creative Officer for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, who directed Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and Cars.

About The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation
The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) was started in 2000 by Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt shortly after a practice-run crash left him paralyzed from the chest down.  SSPF is leading the charge to cure paralysis by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances, benefiting stroke victims and people diagnosed with SCI, ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.  In addition to initiating local and national advocacy efforts on behalf of those disabled, SSPF funds various quality of life grants to organizations, provides college scholarships for people with spinal cord injuries/paralysis, and funds the national Day at the Races program.  The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation is a member of the Spinal Cord Leaders Council.