New Scholarship Opens Doors

Thanks to a foundational gift from Dean Wendy Perdue and her husband David, a new scholarship fund will make a Richmond Law education affordable and accessible to deserving students in need. The Dean’s Opportunity Scholarship Fund will award scholarships to students on the basis of financial need, academic excellence, perseverance in the face of adversity, and potential for leadership in the profession. 

“Our students graduate with an average debt approaching $100,000,” explained Dean Perdue. “That debt burden deters some students from the legal profession, and makes it harder for students who want to devote themselves to public service to do so. The goal of this fund is to open the door to deserving students who have significant need – and significant potential to contribute to the profession.” 

All told, Richmond Law students demonstrate a total need of $18 million per year. After generous support from the University and endowment funding that donors have given to support scholarships, the Law School is able to meet $8 million of that need – leaving a gap of $10 million. “We have to chip away at that unmet need if we want to make a difference in the lives of our students,” said Associate Dean for Development Courtney Curry. “A gift of $10,000 per year for three years can sponsor one Dean’s Opportunity Scholar.”

Including Dean Perdue’s initial pledge of $100,000, the fund has already grown to nearly $600,000 in cash and commitments from alumni and supporters.

To learn more about giving opportunities for the Dean’s Opportunity Scholarship Fund, please contact Courtney Curry at 804-289-8029 or ccurry@richmond.edu.