“As one of the students who attended the [2017] Hall of Fame Celebration, I can’t tell you enough how inspiring it was to learn about our incredible alumni, founding honorees, and other law school supporters in the community”. -Lauren Holler, October 2017
“As a 1L student, last night [October 2017] served as an incredible reminder of why I wanted to be a part of this community in the first place. To be a part of a night that honored all of the incredible individuals that have made it possible for me and others to be where we are was a remarkable experience…” Grace Hurley, October 2017
“Pacesetter: a person who takes the lead and sets standards of achievement for others.” –Merriam-Webster Dictionary
This morning, I am respectfully asking you to be a C|M|LAW Pacesetter and accelerate our trajectory as a law school on the rise.
On October 26, 2018, we will have the opportunity to honor the very distinguished leaders who have contributed to the great success of our law school, when they will be inducted in our Hall of Fame.
The annual Hall of Fame Celebration is also our single best opportunity this year to raise funds for student scholarships.
Let me explain why this is so important.
It's no secret that this continues to be a very challenging time for law schools throughout the country. The past several years have seen a dramatic reduction in applicants to law schools and increased concern about high levels of student educational debt.
This year, in the face of these strong headwinds, we launched an unprecedented effort to increase our enrollment and maintain or increase our high standards of admission. We developed an ambitious plan to increase enrollment from the 2016 first-year class size of 98 (when I first arrived as Interim Dean), to 115 this fall and 120 by the fall of 2019. This will not be easy since applications are at the same level as last year.
We are entering the final 30 days of our 2018 enrollment plan, and we will know by mid-August whether we have achieved our goals for the 2018 first-year class.
There are two primary aspects of our 2018 plan. First, we have reached out personally to each of our admitted students and connected them with our extraordinary faculty, students, staff, and/or alumni. Our Cleveland-Marshall family has responded enthusiastically at an unprecedented level.
Our admitted students are not numbers or statistics to us. They are very talented individuals, and we do not take them for granted. We know that most of them have more than one choice of law school. Each of them has their own unique story. We are taking the time to get to know them and to make sure that they fully understand and appreciate the exceptional educational experience that Cleveland-Marshall has to offer.
Second, we know that we are competing with other fine law schools that are offering generous scholarships.
That’s why, shortly after I was selected Dean last May, we launched the 120 Scholarship Campaign in honor of C|M|LAW's 120th anniversary. Our 120 Scholarship Campaign continues and it has taken on increased importance and urgency with our ambitious enrollment goals.
So today, I am respectfully asking you to accelerate our trajectory as a law school on the rise.
Please make a C|M|LAW Pacesetter contribution or a pledge by September 1 to our October Hall of Fame celebration of an amount ranging from $120 to $12,000.
Please visit csulaw.org/hof_registration to purchase tickets or sponsorships.
If you are not able to attend, please give here: Believe in C|M|LAW. Give Now. or send me an email with your pledge at: lee.fishernull@csuohio.nulledu. Thank you!
Have a great week.
My best,
Lee
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.