DSU receives donation for law studies program, providing students more opportunities to enter field
DOVER, Del.- Delaware State University students interested in law are receiving a helping hand in the form of dollar signs, allowing many to continue to pursue their dreams of someday becoming an attorney.
The Morris James LLP law firm’s $10,000 donation will help students pay for things like the LSAT, which is the test all students applying to law school must take to be admitted.
Yet, I’m told the biggest win is providing more students of color the opportunity to enter the field of law.
“Those numbers need to increase. As we progress obviously as a society we need to have more opportunities for people of color and for women in these fields,” said Delaware State University Assistant Professor Kimeu Boynton.
According to Insider Higher Ed, only 11% of all law school admissions are made up of students of color. “It has nothing to do with their lack of intelligence or mental acumen, it’s all about the opportunities that are available to them and lack of exposure,” said Boynton.
Opportunities and exposure are what Delaware State University is now giving students, with the expansion of its Law Studies program after its acquisition of Wesley college. “When I first came in they didn’t have law studies as a major, they actually only had it as a minor. So I had to major in political science and minor in law studies. Now, students coming in have this great ability of being able to major in it,” said Law Studies student Anissa Cartagena.
I’m told, the donation from Morris James eliminates many barriers for those who want to achieve a higher education. “I’m in one of my last years, so it’s time to grind. Yet, I was struggling with the fact that I would have to take a break to work because I wouldn’t have the money for the fees and to start law school,” said Cartagena.
Now with these resources available, students can now go out to be the professionals they want and bring diversity to the field of law. “These are not students that are passive spectators. They see a legal career as a way to get to the change they want to see in our society,” said Boynton.
“I hope to become someone that is noteworthy. I hope to become someone that is able to establish a path not only for herself, but those that soon follow after,” said Cartagena.
The donation was a way for the firm to give back to the community, as it celebrates its 90th Anniversary.
Morris James LLP and DSU have also partnered for a mentorship program, allowing students to get hands-on experience with professionals already working in the field.
