The Patricia Lee Gauch Scholarship supports an applicant working on a novel to attend a workshop that will truly engage the writer in the craft of writing, in characters that are unforgettable, and in an idea with power. All to create the heart of the story.

Please join us in celebrating Patti Gauch’s incredible contributions to the art of storytelling. Since the very early days of the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua, Patti has been a tireless teacher and supporter, nurturing authors along their journeys. A true champion of story, and teacher who can draw more from a student than that student might imagine, Patti embodies a spirit of giving back. Throughout more than 30 years of teaching at the Highlights Foundation, Patti’s impact has been felt by countless writers. She helped them find their voice!

An enthusiastic group of Patti Gauch’s students has set a goal of increasing The Patricia Gauch Scholarship Fund. This fund began in 2009 to honor Patti for her outstanding contribution to the Highlights Foundation. We are determined that by 2026, it will be fully endowed to $50,000. An endowment fund exists in perpetuity. The interest it generates at $50,000 will provide enough money for a scholarship each year, enabling a chosen Patti Scholar to attend a Highlights Foundation novel workshop. Novel writing workshops help writers achieve their goal of writing a novel, through honing voice, plot, character development, and so much more. Please help us reach this goal! Gifts large and small are deeply appreciated.

Get more information about the scholarship process and apply here.