Thomas Britton Schultz Family Papers, 1979-2013

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Summary

Creator:
Schultz family.
Abstract:
Materials related to Thomas Britton Schultz, one of 35 Syracuse University students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland
Extent:
4 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Thomas Britton Schultz Family Papers,

Background

Scope and content:

The Thomas Britton Schultz Family Papers contains materials related to Tom Schultz, one of the 35 students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland while studying abroad through Syracuse University's Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA). Also included are materials related to various memorials for the victims of Pan Am 103. The collection is divided into the following series:

Audiovisual material consists of a DVD, VHS tape, and audiocassette with media related to Tom or his family following the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.

Clippings contains newspaper clippings and articles related to Tom and the tragedy, as well as clippings from the 25th Anniversary of the bombing.

Correspondence includes condolences and letters of sympathy sent to the Schultz family. This series also contains correspondence between Tom's mother, Jane Schultz, and two U.S. presidents, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Memorials consists of church service programs, obituaries, prayer cards, and other materials that serve to memorialize Tom and the other victims of Pan Am Flight 103. Also included in this series are many materials related to the dedication of the Memorial Cairn at Arlington National Cemetery.

Photographs contains photographs from the dedication of the Memorial Cairn and various photographs of Tom, from both his semester abroad in London and earlier in his life.

Subject files includes yearbooks, booklets, awards, and other materials related to Tom and his family. There are three yearbooks in this series, one from Tom's high school and the other two from Ohio Wesleyan University and Syracuse University, both containing memorial messages for Tom. There are also plaques and awards documenting the achievements and recognitions of Tom and his family, some posthumously.

Writings contains two items: a magazine article about Jane Schultz's experience as an advocate following the bombing and her relationship with her son, and a personal statement written by Tom.

Biographical / historical:

Photograph of Thomas Britton Schultz

Thomas Britton Schultz (1968-1988) was among the 270 victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. A junior at Ohio Wesleyan University, he was enrolled in Syracuse University's Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA) in London. Tom was pursuing a double major in history, politics, and government, and planned on attending law school. He was posthumously awarded his bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan.

Tom was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and a two-year letter holder in track and cross country. Professor Michael Good remembered "he was the kind of student you pray for. He was a sponge. Every experience or piece of information you could give him, he would absorb." He was survived by his parents, John and Jane Schultz, as well as his paternal and maternal grandmothers and two uncles. He was buried alongside his younger brother, Andrew, who died in 1978. Tom's mother, Jane, was instrumental in advocating for the construction of a permanent memorial to the victims of Pan Am 103. Her contributions to this work resulted in the dedication of the Memorial Cairn at Arlington National Cemetery in November of 1995.

Acquisition information:
Gift of John and Jane Schultz between 2006 and 2022.
Processing information:

Materials were placed in acid-free folders and boxes. Delicate items were separated with archival foam for protection.

Arrangement:

Materials are arranged alphabetically within series.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Access to recordings requires advance notice to produce a use copy.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from the Pan Am Flight 103 Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Preferred citation:

Thomas Britton Schultz Family Papers,

Location of this collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Bird Library, Room 600
Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
315.443.2697
scrc@syr.edu