Janet Kay Schmidt
1947 - 2026
Janet Kay Schmidt was born on June 21, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, the second of four children of Frances Isabelle Schmidt (née LePage) and Joseph John Schmidt. In 1955, she and her family moved to Glenview, Illinois, where she attended Glenview Junior High School and Glenbrook South High School, graduating in 1965. She then enrolled at the University of Denver.
Galvanized by the Vietnam War, Janet studied political science, and earned her BA in 1969. She spent the next two years at UC Berkeley, completing an MA in Asian Studies, including a formative year in India. While there, she studied with Kalu Rimpoche near Darjeeling, and later accompanied him to the United States via Israel, Italy, France, and England. Janet returned to UC Berkeley to earn her PhD in Political Science and International Relations.
In 1975, Janet was hired as the first woman to teach in the Government and International Studies Department at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. In 1983, she moved to Stanford University to teach Western Civilization in the Values, Technology, Science, and Society (VTSS) Program. (The program was later renamed Science, Technology, and Society, but Janet always made it clear that the "Values" were essential.)
In 1986, she was appointed as Assistant Director of Academics for Stanford's Overseas Studies Program. During her seven years in that role, she helped students integrate overseas study into their majors and prepare for life outside of the United States. Never one to suffer fools gladly, she managed to piss off nearly everyone there - especially the two deputy directors.
In 1993, Janet moved to Santa Barbara to become Regional Director for the UC-wide Education Abroad Program. Over the course of her career at Stanford and the University of California, Janet visited the United Kingdom, Israel, Egypt, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, and Chile, as well as Germany in 1989, both before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Weary of constant travel, Janet retired from academia in 1995. Semi-retired, she found great joy in transforming neglected, dilapidated houses and gardens into warm, welcoming homes. She retired fully in 2011 to tend her own garden and spend time with her beloved dog Zak, and later her charming schnoodle, Turtle.
Janet spent her final days watching old movies and chatting with friends. She died peacefully at home on January 18, 2026, on her own terms. She is survived by her siblings, Carol, Robert, and Kathryn; nephews, Robert, Kevin, and Mico; and countless students. Janet was an exceptional teacher and mentor who encouraged her students to be curious about the world, sharpen their thinking, and be open to writing one more draft.
In lieu of flowers or letters, please consider making a donation in Janet's memory to the most woke cause of your choice.
Galvanized by the Vietnam War, Janet studied political science, and earned her BA in 1969. She spent the next two years at UC Berkeley, completing an MA in Asian Studies, including a formative year in India. While there, she studied with Kalu Rimpoche near Darjeeling, and later accompanied him to the United States via Israel, Italy, France, and England. Janet returned to UC Berkeley to earn her PhD in Political Science and International Relations.
In 1975, Janet was hired as the first woman to teach in the Government and International Studies Department at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. In 1983, she moved to Stanford University to teach Western Civilization in the Values, Technology, Science, and Society (VTSS) Program. (The program was later renamed Science, Technology, and Society, but Janet always made it clear that the "Values" were essential.)
In 1986, she was appointed as Assistant Director of Academics for Stanford's Overseas Studies Program. During her seven years in that role, she helped students integrate overseas study into their majors and prepare for life outside of the United States. Never one to suffer fools gladly, she managed to piss off nearly everyone there - especially the two deputy directors.
In 1993, Janet moved to Santa Barbara to become Regional Director for the UC-wide Education Abroad Program. Over the course of her career at Stanford and the University of California, Janet visited the United Kingdom, Israel, Egypt, France, Italy, Japan, Poland, and Chile, as well as Germany in 1989, both before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Weary of constant travel, Janet retired from academia in 1995. Semi-retired, she found great joy in transforming neglected, dilapidated houses and gardens into warm, welcoming homes. She retired fully in 2011 to tend her own garden and spend time with her beloved dog Zak, and later her charming schnoodle, Turtle.
Janet spent her final days watching old movies and chatting with friends. She died peacefully at home on January 18, 2026, on her own terms. She is survived by her siblings, Carol, Robert, and Kathryn; nephews, Robert, Kevin, and Mico; and countless students. Janet was an exceptional teacher and mentor who encouraged her students to be curious about the world, sharpen their thinking, and be open to writing one more draft.
In lieu of flowers or letters, please consider making a donation in Janet's memory to the most woke cause of your choice.
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