Partnerships Enhance Student Success at FAMU Law
ORLANDO – Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law recognized financial supporters for contributing nearly half a million dollars to student success during its State of FAMU Law address on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. The donations and pledges over the past year support student initiatives such as scholarships, fellowships, and experiential learning opportunities.
“We are delighted to receive financial support from our community partners, alumni, and friends,” said FAMU Law Dean Deidré Keller. “Many of these gifts are endowed to help ensure FAMU Law is positioned to award scholarships in perpetuity. Some gifts are directed to specific programs designed to give our law students practical experience in the legal field. Still, other gifts are unrestricted to address the pressing needs of FAMU Law.”
Thanks to support from Florida Blue, FAMU Law students will have additional scholarship opportunities.
“This funding establishes the Florida Blue Endowed Legal Scholarship here at FAMU Law,” said Central Florida Market President for Florida Blue Tony Jenkins. “We believe this perfectly aligns with our goal of building and supporting a more diverse talent pipeline that will serve the needs of our traditionally underserved communities.”
Another donation for student success comes from BankUnited. Some funding will launch the Heirs’ Property Project, providing hands-on experience in wills and estates. The project would assist residents with property inheritance laws or issues.
“BankUnited is committed to promoting social justice, equal access, community development, and opportunity,” said Senior Vice President CRA/Community Development Officer Claire Raley. “BankUnited’s two-year gift is to support tuition scholarships, recruitment activities, and academic program initiatives in partnership with the College of Law.”
Longtime partner Wells Fargo is providing financial support for the Racial Justice Fellowship Program and for hiring a clinic practitioner in residence to manage the Economic Justice Clinic, which officially launches in January of 2023.
“Our legal clinics are on the front line helping our community while providing hands-on legal training for law students,” said Clinic Director Mark Dorosin. “We are excited to launch the Economic Justice Clinic in January to help Black and minority-owned businesses and non-profits that serve under-resourced communities and applaud Wells Fargo for financially supporting this effort.”
FAMU Law is grateful for donations from members of the FAMU National Alumni Association, law firms, corporations, small businesses, foundations, lawyers, educators, and friends of the law school, Keller said.
FAMU Law is celebrating its 20th anniversary in downtown Orlando.
For more information about the FAMU College of Law, please visit law.famu.edu.