Mark Karstedt

Mark Karstedt graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies. He established the Mark H. Reinhard Memorial Leadership Scholarship, in memory of his friend, Mark Reinhard.

Mark H. Reinhard was born January 27, 1962 in northwestern Pennsylvania. He was raised on the Warren State Hospital grounds with his parents and five older siblings, three sisters and two brothers. His father was a psychiatrist and later the superintendent of the hospital. Mark’s experiences growing up at the hospital and traumatic injuries he sustained, including broken legs and third degree burns on his torso and arms, in high school and college impacted his worldview. His concern for people struggling with illness and equality was evident the rest of his short life.

Mark moved to Wisconsin with his parents in the early 1980s and enrolled at UW Oshkosh. He was involved with the student union and the Oshkosh Student Association (OSA). He was elected vice president of OSA in 1984. During his tenure, he fought for student rights but set his mark by advocating for equality for blacks in South Africa. Some of his actions brought international media awareness to the cause of divestiture from South Africa and helped lead to the downfall of apartheid. Mark graduated from UW Oshkosh in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Mark unexpectedly died May 1, 1995. His leadership and passion for equality lives on through his family, friends, and the Mark H. Reinhard Memorial Leadership Scholarship.