On April 19, 1994, six members of the EIS Class of 1969 gathered for their 25th reunion. While together, they decided to establish the Paul C. Schnitker Award named in memory of their classmate who died in the line of duty in 1969. Paul Schnitker was killed in a plane crash near Lagos, Nigeria, where he was going to serve as a medical advisor to refugee relief efforts related to the Biafra civil war. The first Schnitker Award was given in 1995 and was funded by gifts in memory of Dr. Schnitker from friends and colleagues. In 1999, the Schnitker family permanently endowed the fund. The award includes a cash prize, an individual plaque and inscription of the winners name on the permanent plaque at CDC. Each year the Schnitker Award is presented at the annual EIS conference to recognize outstanding contributions to global public health by current EIS officers.