“I have found that there is a true dedication to the motto of "Learn Law. Live Justice." that is demonstrated every single day.” -Melissa Obodzinski’ 22
“Learn Law. Live Justice. is more than just coursework, papers, exams...it's a principle of devotion to making lives better for the people who need our help... that's why we signed up for this journey...” - Sharon Kay Bäden’19
This morning I am asking for your help in these final days before the end of our fiscal year.
Your support has never been more important. Let me explain why.
We are in the final weeks of recruiting talented students for our Fall 2020 class and the Coronavirus pandemic has presented a new set of extraordinary challenges we’ve never faced before.
The March and April LSAT exams were cancelled so the number of our applications are seriously down. The June and July LSAT exams will, for the first time, be administered online. This means that we will be receiving applications and admitting students far later than we normally do- throughout July and even early August.
Every day, I and some of our staff, faculty, alumni, and current students reach out to our applicants and admitted students to discuss what they are looking for in a law school. The competition between law schools for the most talented students has never been more intense.
Here’s what we’ve learned.
In a sense, scholarship dollars are the gateway ticket that allows us to compete. In this time of uncertainty, prospective students are even more financially cautious than ever and many will select a school based solely on the financial bottom line.
So we must be financially competitive. That’s why we need your help now.
We have the ambitious goal of raising $100,000 this week. Whatever you can do now will be deeply appreciated. If you are thinking about supporting us, but usually wait until the end of the calendar year, I respectfully ask you to give now instead.
Help a Student Fulfill Our Mission to Live Justice
When we are able to compete with other law schools that are offering generous scholarships, we usually win the competition because of our many successes (see the infographic below my signature) and because we offer a unique value proposition – our ability to fulfill our mission to Learn Law and to Live Justice. See our Learn Law Live Justice Video
We consistently have been the law school for many women and men who have broken gender, race, ethnic, economic, and generational barriers to make change and advance progress in social justice and public service.
If there ever was a time to ensure that an ethos of social justice permeates our law school’s culture, it is now when our country is torn by the anguish and pain of racism and political divisiveness.
Our legal system too often fails to attain equal justice, but it also remains the most effective and powerful vehicle on earth for pursuing and achieving it. Thus, a quality legal education is the single best way to ensure that a new generation of leaders will be skilled in advancing social justice. Every day, we educate and train the future custodians of our democracy. It’s a sacred trust that we take very seriously.
Our mission has never been more relevant; our need for scholarship support has never been more vital.
Invest in Our Mission to Live Justice
It would mean a lot to us if you would take a moment this week to support the opportunity for a student to achieve their dream of making a difference in the world.
Please Invest in Equal Justice
Later this week, as we celebrate America’s Revolution that led to our country’s freedom and independence, let’s remember that our country’s greatest strength is our humility – our understanding that sometimes America gets it wrong, and that the only way to keep our republic is not to default on our promise to admit and correct our mistakes and always strive to get it right.
Help Us Fulfill our Mission to Live Justice
Have a great day. Have a great week. Have a great new year.
If you missed CSU President Harlan Sands’ virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, June 24, you can see it
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
