The School of Law’s vision to redefine what it means to be a great national public law school made significant strides this past year. Through partnerships with graduates, the University of Georgia Foundation and friends, eight new scholarship funds were established and support for other student initiatives was secured.
Longtime faculty members Dan Coenen (left) and David Shipley were honored this year with the establishment of scholarships bearing their names.
In recognition of his more than 35 years of service, Dan T. Coenen, the holder of a University Professorship, a Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship and the Caldwell Chair in Constitutional Law, was honored by Julia A. Houston (J.D.’95) with a named scholarship supporting students who intend to practice corporate/business law in Georgia, who have confronted significant challenges and/or who will advance the diversity of the practice of law.
Three alumni – J. Vincent “Jay” Cook Jr. (J.D.’64), Alfred N. “Al” Corriere (J.D.’76) and Kevin E. Epps (J.D.’08) – led the way to honor former Dean David E. Shipley, who currently holds the Georgia Athletics Association Professorship, for his nearly 26 years of dedication to the law school. A scholarship bearing his name will benefit students involved in campus life as undergraduates, and Division III varsity student-athletes will be given preference.
The Frederick E. Cooper Endowment was initiated by Johnson J. “Jay” and Hillary J. Cooper to honor the fund’s namesake who was a 1967 graduate of the law school and who is Jay’s father. The scholarship will be awarded to outstanding students, especially those who are veterans or have plans to serve in the armed forces or work in the school’s Veterans Legal Clinic or similar initiatives at the law school.
Alumnus J. Anderson “Andy” Davis (J.D.’84) created a scholarship for those who have participated in Scouts BSA or Girl Scouts of the USA, particularly those who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout or earned the Gold Award. The Andy and Janice Davis Family Scholarship Fund will also give preference to those who are, or have been, residents of Northwest Georgia.
Graduates James L. “Jim” Henderson III and Eleanor “Elsie” Dunlap Henderson, both members of the Class of 1976, made a pledge to support scholarships named in memory of Edith House, one of the law school’s first female graduates. Individuals reflecting the values of House and/or those who seek to further the advancement of women in the legal profession will be candidates.
The late Francis Henry “Frank” Ramsey IV (J.D.’81) was memorialized with a scholarship bearing his name thanks to a gift from Louise Terrell Adams. It will benefit UGA graduates, Georgia residents, former student-athletes and/or those who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to college athletics.
The Robert E. “Robbie” Robinson Endowment was created in memory of the civil rights attorney and 1974 alumnus. Future Robinson Scholars will come from rural or underserved legal communities in Georgia, have a desire to serve those communities and/or plan to pursue public interest work in service to our state.
Ryan (J.D.’13) and Kiel Scates established a scholarship that will benefit those intending to become Double Dawgs (i.e., those who have earned at least one degree from UGA before entering UGA Law). It will also support those who are married and/or have children or dependents and those with an exceptional commitment to and passion for UGA.
Additionally, Michael L. Goldberg (J.D.’97) expanded his support of law students by making an additional contribution to the Michael Louis Goldberg Scholarship Fund, which aids law students who participated in high school or collegiate athletics.
Other key areas receiving significant support include:
Alumnus Benjamin W. “Ben” Thorpe (J.D.’14) and his mother Dr. Barbara Williams pledged a gift to enable the Community Health Law Partnership Clinic to build on its tradition of interdisciplinary advocacy at the intersection of immigration status and health. The funding will assist with clinic operations and allow for the hiring of post-graduate/summer fellows.
The Milner S. Ball Fellowship Fund was boosted by contributions from married graduates Ryan A. Schneider (J.D.’95) and Jennifer B. Tourial (J.D.’94). The fund, named in memory of the late holder of the Caldwell Chair in Constitutional Law and 1971 alumnus, provides financial assistance to law students seeking public interest/pro bono service experiences during their first and second summers of law school.
The Stonewall Law Student Support Fund was established to benefit the OUTLaw/Stonewall Law Student Association, which promotes education and discussion of legal and societal issues in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. Founding contributors to the fund include Dean A. Adelman (J.D.’90) and Gary P. Jackson.
The UGA Foundation, led by Chair Allison C. Ausband, generously provided matching funds for the Coenen, Shipley, Davis Family, Ramsey and Scates Family scholarships as well as the Ball Fellowship Fund.
