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New law scholarship rewards students Driven by a commitment to education, community development and racial reconciliation, Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP has endowed a law scholarship at UM to be awarded to students who show a similar commitment to racial reconciliation in the state.  The Bradley Arant Rose & White–William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation Scholarship in Law was created with a $25,000 gift from the Birmingham, Ala.-based firm. “The Institute for Racial Reconciliation was established to build bridges between people of different races, to enhance education and economic development for people in this area, and to work together around the common causes that unite us as human beings,” said former Gov. William Winter, for whom the institute is named. “I don’t know of any other scholarship identified with a public university in America that is designated specifically for those who have demonstrated an interest in racial reconciliation.” Attorney Cory Wilson in the firm’s Jackson office helped set up the fund and said his firm is committed to funding the scholarship beyond the initial gift. In fact, the staff of the firm’s Jackson branch has pledged to match the $25,000 gift with personal donations. The endowment has grown to nearly $45,000 in gifts and pledges since the initial pledge in April. “Everyone in the Jackson office wanted to do something in terms of charitable giving to foster racial reconciliation and community redevelopment in Mississippi,” Wilson said. “We came up with the idea of a scholarship for a needy law student who has shown a commitment to reconciliation and progress and racial harmony.” The scholarship will be awarded to a full-time entering law student who demonstrates a personal interest in racial reconciliation and has at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average. All applicants must submit an essay, which will be judged by attorneys from the firm and representatives from the Winter Institute. By joining in the selection process, the attorneys hope to build relationships with the candidates, Wilson said. The successful candidate will keep the scholarship for three years and will serve an internship with the institute each year. “If someone has demonstrated a commitment through race relations, we are committed to get them through law school,” Wilson said. “It’s a nicely designed scholarship because it serves everybody’s goals.” Founded in 1999, the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation builds more inclusive communities by promoting diversity and citizenship and by supporting projects that help communities solve local challenges. The scholarship endowment is the institute’s first. “It’s always been at the heart of our work that we reach out to students and have them become involved in our programs,” said Susan Glisson, director of the Winter Institute. “For Bradley Arant Rose & White to reinforce that approach with a scholarship for law students really underscores the importance of us building a new generation of leaders.” —Natashia Gregoire |
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