“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”– Harriet Tubman
Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. It would mean a lot to us if you would take a moment tomorrow, or anytime before the end of the year, to support the opportunity for a student to achieve their dream of making a difference in the world. Believe in C|M|LAW. Please Give Now.
While there are many reasons to support Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University, I believe that our students, alumni, and faculty say it far better than anything I could say. Please take a few minutes to read some of their own words.
Help a Student's Dreams Come True
“Years ago I got two gifts from my sister: a money jar, which stated on the side "Legal Funds" and a mug, which stated on the side "If your dreams don't scare you they aren't big enough….Well, my dream of becoming a licensed attorney in America, when in 2005 I didn't even speak English was scary and of course my "Legal Fund" jar, even when filled, could not cover the law school tuition. But, the dream was there, the will to work hard to achieve it was there too, and then CMLAW took care of the rest…CMLAW is truly a place where dreams come true. I am living proof of that.- Erika Molnar ‘19
“Law school means so much to each of our students. Every year in my class, there are students leaving one career behind to take the risk for another. There are students with children whose wife or husband is carrying the financial and family load so that their spouse can gain a law degree. There are younger students who come to realize that they are taking on a responsibility like they have never experienced before. In some degree or another, they all, young and older, are apprehensive about their future.” – Professor David Forte
“I reflected back on the challenge of going to law school at night for 3 years while working full time and raising a family, then going full time my last year to finish on time. The final year we had no income but we were sustained by a hope and a dream that it would all pay off down later. C|M|LAW is home to those that have the grit to realize their dreams. Grit is part of our school’s DNA. Our students leave with that quality— which no test can measure — and employers consistently comment on that quality as a reason why they like to hire our graduates.” - Carter Strang ‘84
Provide a Scholarship for a Student in Need
“ Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the scholarship you all have so kindly decided to offer me…You all have given me the opportunity to fulfill my destiny and for that I am forever grateful ! My son will one day be able to say that his mother was given a chance despite financial hardship, and this blessing can teach him that if you dream big enough, no obstacle will be big enough.” -1L Student
Support a First Generation Law Student
“I am not only a first generation college graduate, but a first generation law student so when I first picked a law school, I was unsure of what to look for and unsure of what to be involved in. I came to C|M|LAW and I was met with opportunities to network, opportunities to attend panels, symposiums, and CLEs, opportunities to join just about any type of student organization, opportunities to get experiential learning through clinics and externships ….I made incredible friends who are about to be my even more incredible colleagues.” - Rachelle Summers’19
Help a Student Believe in Themself
“Professor (Michael) Borden- thank you for all the support you have provided me this year. It was your words and encouragement that motivated me to continue this rigorous process despite the struggles of balancing home responsibilities, school and receiving the disappointing grades of first semester. I am happy to inform you that this semester I received a 3.78 (all As). I really cannot stress enough how much you believing in me pushed me forward.” – 2L Student
“Professor (Heidi) Robertson -I just wanted to send you an email and tell you how thankful/grateful/blessed/happy I am that I had the opportunity to take your class this semester. I was motivated and excited when I started law school and after the first semester I felt defeated and that I did not belong here. Your class made me excited about the law again and it gave me my passion back.” - 2L student
Help a Student Fulfill Our Mission to Live Justice
“I was a non-traditional student and I nearly dropped out after my first semester (fall 2015). As you know, I’m a full-time police officer, and at age 35, being back in school was a culture shock and I felt over my head. But I did not quit, and I hope C|M|LAW is proud to have me as a part of the alum family. In my police uniform, I truly do my best to embrace the Live Justice motto every day.” - Mary Grace Tokmenko ‘19
“Learn Law. Live Justice. is more than just coursework, papers, exams or public speeches...it's a principle of professionalism, humankind, and devotion to making lives better. Law school can be an overwhelming process, but the process/meaningful purpose is for the aid of other people...the people who need our help navigating within a complex law-filled world we live in... that's why we signed-up for this journey...” - Sharon Kay Bäden’19
Learn Law Live Justice Video
“I must say how powerful the video was…it surely reminded me that the DNA of our law school is deeply rooted in social justice and that alone, among all the programs and strategic initiatives we offer and focus on, is surely something to be proud of!” – Kelly Tompkins ’81
Help Fuel a Law School on the Rise
“I was under a great deal of stress thinking about which school I wanted to attend for law school, I was torn between my alma mater CWRU and Cleveland-Marshall. What it really came down to for me was the connections and feeling I got when I visited Cleveland Marshall…. For me, it was all about getting in on the ground level of something special. Cleveland-Marshall is honestly on the rise and I firmly believe that something special is brewing here.” -Dustin Likens ‘18
Below are some funds we hope you’ll consider supporting. If the area you want to support isn't listed, please select “other” here and type in what you would like to support at C|M|LAW.
- Learn Law Live Justice Fund: Your unrestricted gift to the Learn Law Live Justice Fund helps us meet the most critical needs of the College of Law as unrestricted dollars can be put to use immediately where the need is the greatest. This is also known as our Annual Fund.
- Student Scholarship Fund: Funding to attract and retain the best, brightest, and most promising law students.
- Dean's Innovation Fund: Funding to strategically position the law school for a fast-changing legal market.
- Emergency Student Financial Assistance Fund: Funding to provide emergency financial assistance to students in the form of a grant, loan, or scholarship.
- Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection: Funding to advance the mission of achieving cyber resilience through education, research, and policy.
- Center for Health Law and Policy: Funding to advance the goal to provide an industry-aligned, practice-focused curriculum with health care leaders throughout the region.
- Global Space Law Center: Funding to promote the development of law for the peaceful use of outer space, facilitate the growth of the commercial space industry, and train the next-generation space lawyers.
- Criminal Justice Center: Funding to advance students' education experiences and individual interests in criminal justice, social justice forums, and practicums for students.
- Solo Practice Incubator: Funding to help launch recent law graduates into their own solo law firm space at Cleveland-Marshall.
Believe in C|M|LAW. Please Give Now.
This Week’s Monday Moment: 8 TED Talks About Giving
Have a great day. Have a great week.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.
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My views in all my Monday Morning Messages are my personal views alone and do not reflect the views of our law school or our university.
My best,
Lee