Santa Clara Law - Scholarships

Alumni

Scholarships and Prizes

Santa Clara University School of Law offers a variety of scholarships and prizes to incoming and continuing students. Take a moment to read a brief history of each scholarship and its namesake. These are some of the finest examples of the meaning of a Santa Clara law degree.

"With $150 in the treasury, the mission building, a plot of land 120 feet by 225 feet, two secular teachers, a Kanaka cook, and a respectable matron' to take care of the house and the smaller boys, the modest school began."

The oldest university in California and the only mission campus, Santa Clara was founded in 1851 at the site of Mission Santa Clara de Asis, the eighth of California's original 21 missions. Santa Clara's location, in the heart of Silicon Valley's high-technology industry, combined with the University's academic tradition, encourages the integration of advanced knowledge and human wisdom. Located in the center of the

103 acre University campus, the law school was founded in 1912.

In keeping with the Jesuit philosophy of education, Santa Clara's School of Law strives to integrate a sound legal education with a concern for the ethical administration of justice. Its goal is to mold law students into practitioners of both competence and conscience.

11 Easy Pieces Endowed Scholarship Fund

Awarded to student with financial need and in good academic standing.

AM-JUR Bancroft-Whitney Award

Certificates of Achievement are awarded each semester by Bancroft-Whitney, California's Official Legal Publisher, of San Francisco. The awards are presented to those students attaining the highest grades in particular subjects. Additionally, a valuable credit-voucher for publications is awarded to the highest ranking students in specific activities, such as moot court brief writing competition.

For more information contact the Registrar's Office 408-554-4351.

Antitrust Prize

This prize is made possible through the settlement from the Western Sugar Antitrust Litigation, MDL 201 (N.D.CA). This class action was brought against the major sugar refiners and producers in the Western United States, on behalf of numerous private and governmental classes. The presiding judge, the Honorable Edward N. Cahn, requested that this fund be used for "academic work and support, such as research, scholarship, lectureships, teaching and books in the Field of Antitrust and Consumer Protection Law." The Antitrust Prize is awarded to the student with the highest GPA in the Antitrust class.

Becchetti/Yada Endowed Scholarship

The Becchetti/Yada Endowed Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of James Marius Becchetti ('26). Mr. Becchetti was a faculty member for the School of Law from 1937-1942, teaching business law. He was also a member of the Board of Fellows (1968-88), the President's Club (1979-86) and the Gianera Society (he was a charter member). Upon his death on March 20, 1988, this scholarship was created with the help of Mr. Becchetti's longtime employee and friend, Irene C. Yada. The scholarship manifests Mr. Becchetti's undying commitment to the Santa Clara University community and his high esteem for a Santa Clara University education.

The Becchetti/Yada Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

John and Ethel Burnett Endowed Scholarship

Established in 1985 at the request of Ann Burnett Mitchell ('85), the John and Ethel Burnett Endowed Scholarship fulfills a unique niche. John Burnett was an active participant in Santa Clara County politics. Ms. Mitchell began this fund to honor her parents and appropriately, the fund is restricted to full-time law students who are single parents.

Nancy and Ted Biagini Endowed Law Scholarship

For students studying the law are in need and in good academic standing.

Anthony J. Chargin Family Endowed Scholarship

Student must demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

The Chargin Prize

Established in 1969, by their son, Victor, the Chargin Prize is given annually in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Chargin. This prize is given to the full-time student holding the highest GPA for three years of law school.

B.T. Collins "Captain Hook" Scholarship

"You must know of my love and affection for everything that embodies generosity and selflessness, and that is Santa Clara University . . . . . . . I started off at 29 years of age to remake my life at Santa Clara University."
Brien Thomas (B.T.) Collins
Santa Clara University, B.A. 1970, J.D. 1973

B.T. Collins came to Santa Clara as a student after losing a leg and arm as a U.S. Army captain in Vietnam. His optimism and energy transformed many of his classmates. His good humor and generosity endeared him, and his loyalty and strength of character propelled him. He served as Director of the California Conservation Corps and Chief of Staff for Governor Jerry Brown. He also served as Deputy Finance Director, Director of the California Youth Authority, and as an elected member of the California State Assembly. He regarded public service as a privilege, and frequently urged others to "give back." His sudden death in 1993 left some challenges unmet, but also left the most important ingredients needed to meet them: inspiration and integrity.

The B.T. Collins "Captain Hook" Scholarship provides financial aid to continuing students who are dedicated to pursuing public service careers, and have demonstrated outstanding leadership potential.

Virginia Worth Daly Endowed Scholarship

Recipients should demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

Dean's Fellowships

The Dean's Fellowships are awarded to a select group of exceptional scholars during the admission process. Dean's Fellows receive special recognition in addition to grants up to full tuition. To be considered for a fellowship, applicants must have their admissions files complete by March 1. Finalists for these awards will be determined through an on-campus interview process.

Dunlap/McAuvic Endowed Scholarship Fund

To provide financial assistance to an incoming student. Recipients should have demonstrated interest in the career in the areas of intellectual property or technology law and should demonstrate good academic standing and financial need. Preference shall be given to law students from gender, racial or ethnic groups that are under-represented in the legal profession.

Michael di Leonardo Memorial Scholarship

Michael di Leonardo graduated from the School of Law in 1950 after attending San Jose State and serving with distinction in World War II in the Philippines, rising to the rank of captain. After law school Michael served as law clerk to the late Justice Maurice T. Dooling of the California Court of Appeal and later entered private practice. Within a few years the firm of di Leonardo, Blake, Kelly, Aguilar & Leal became a leading Sunnyvale law firm. Michael was also a founding member of the Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County.

Throughout his career, Michael devoted a great deal of time and effort to the local and state bar. He was noted for his wit and sensitivity to the needs of practicing lawyers. He was also a voice for the disadvantaged members of the legal profession and was in the forefront of bringing women lawyers into the mainstream of the profession.

The Michael di Leonardo Memorial Scholarship is available to students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

Emery Scholarships

These scholarships, provided by the Law School, were originally contributed in 1956 by the Jesuit Fathers of the University in honor of James A. Emery S. J. The number of scholarships varies from year to year.

The Emery Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and professional promise. Awards to upper-division students are determined by law school performance. The number and dollar amount of these awards also varies. Most range from $1,000 to several thousand dollars per year. Generally, these scholarships are continued year to year if the student maintains a superior level of performance in law studies.

Edward M. Fellows Memorial Scholarship

Undergraduate or graduate accepted students with need and academic excellence.

Russell W. Galloway, Jr. Fund for Minority Scholarships

With a law degree from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union, Russell Galloway joined Santa Clara's law faculty in 1977. His untimely death in 1992 cut short a meteoric career as a prolific constitutional scholar and an inspirational classroom teacher. His greatest priority, however, was to press for greater diversity in the law school, and to provide minority students with all the encouragement needed to achieve success.

The Russell W. Galloway, Jr. Fund for Minority Scholarships provides scholarships to promising entering law students who enhance the diversity of the Law School's enrollment.

Frederick Gonzalez and Leota Van DeVeere Gonzalez Scholarship Fund

To provide financial assistance to students of SCU School of Law enrolled in part-time program. Recipients should demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

Edwin and Florence Heafey Endowed Scholarship

It is a great honor for the Law School to award the Edwin and Florence Heafey scholarship. The Heafey family has been committed to the University and the Law School for many years. Their commitment has been influential toward creating the current educational environment of Santa Clara. Established in 1976 The Edwin and Florence Heafey scholarship is designated for students of "limited means."

Frank Hennessey Scholarship

The Frank Hennessey Scholarship was established in memory of Frank Hennessey, a student at Santa Clara in 1893. The Hennessey family has continued to be active with the University and can claim many Santa Clara graduates as their own. This scholarship is available to students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need.

Beatrice M. Hessen Memorial Scholarship

Established in 1990 by Robert A. Hessen in memory of his wife, a 1984 graduate of the Law School, the Beatrice M. Hessen Memorial Scholarship continues to provide financial resources to Santa Clara law students. This scholarship is available to students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need.

Daniel and Carole Kelly Endowed Scholarship Fund

Available to students who demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

Joan Lamb Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The Joan Lamb Memorial Endowed Scholarship is named in memory of Joan Lamb (Class of 1973). Joan touched many of her classmates with her integrity, commitment and intelligence. This scholarship is available to students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

Law Alumni Board Scholarships

The purpose of the Law Alumni Board is stated as;

"To create a sustaining relationship by and for the Santa Clara University Law School through mutually enriching activities for the benefit of the community."

Part of this commitment to "benefit the community" includes a scholarship program. Scholarships are given to either second, third and fourth year law students who demonstrate:

Commitment to SCU School of Law
Participation in community activities
Involvement in SCU student activities
Financial need.

Law Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship

Given to either second, third or fourth year law students who demonstrates commitment to SCU School of Law, participation in community activities, involvement in SCU student activities, and financial need.

Law Faculty Scholarships

The Law Faculty Scholarships are awarded to minority students, economically disadvantaged students and students with special needs on the basis of financial need and professional promise. The number of scholarships varies from year to year. Scholarship amounts seldom exceed half-tuition and more frequently range from $500 to several thousand dollars per year.

Albert J. Lee and Mae Lee Memorial Scholarship

Given to young men and women of better-than-average scholastic ability who are in need of financial assistance in order to pursue the study of Law.

William and Inez Mabie Family Foundation Law Scholarship Fund

For students who demonstrate outstanding academic promise. A preference will be given to applicants from Santa Clara and San Benito Counties.

Irene and Roe A. Maier Scholarship

The Maiers became friends of Santa Clara University through enjoying its dramatic and musical events. Irene's niece, a Dominican nun, wrote that Irene

"so loved the University and all the richness it brought into her life and that of her dear husband Roe."

The niece added that she was

"so pleased that [Irene's and Roe's] memory will continue to live in a place that was so special to them both."

The Irene and Roe Maier Scholarship is available to students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need.

Bernice and Saul Manaster Scholarship Fund

The Bernice and Saul Manaster Scholarship Fund was made possible through the efforts of Santa Clara University School of Law Professor Ken Manaster and the Manaster family. Established in 1995, this scholarship is a book award providing funds for qualified students for text book purchases.

The Bernice and Saul Manaster Scholarship Fund is available for students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need.

For more information contact the Registrar's office 408-554-4351.

Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Scholarship

This scholarship was re-established in 2001 by a group of law alumni, current law students and law faculty, representing the diverse ethnic social groups that Justice Marshall worked diligently to protect throughout his career as a lawyer and a jurist. The scholarship is awarded to an entering law student who has demonstrated commitment to equality, inclusion and social justice. In order to qualify for the scholarship, a student must:

be an entering, first-year law student
have a demonstrated academic interest in equality, inclusion and social justice
have a record of community service, with a commitment to eliminating racial, social, and economic disadvantage in under-served communities
intend to pursue a legal career that advances equality and social justice

Military Endowed Scholarship

To provide educational scholarships to students of the School of Law whose parents are serving or have served in the military (incoming or current student). Should there be more than one student who meets this criteria in a given year, the distribution of the scholarship should favor the student who is in the greatest financial need. Should no student meet this criteria in a given year, the scholarship should be distributed to a single parent.

Paul Nettesheim Endowed Scholarship Fund

Recipients should demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

Mabel T. Owens Endowed Law Scholarship

Recipients should demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

Stephen and Louise Pahl Endowed Scholarship Fund

Recipients should demonstrate good academic standing and financial need. To be used for support of individuals from this geographic area who intend to remain practicing in the Santa Clara Valley.

Justice Edward A. Panelli Endowed Law Scholarship

To be used for students demonstrating financial need and in good academic standing.

Connie & Tony Ridder Family Endowed Scholarship Fund

Preference will be given to a Law School student with the greatest financial need. Recipients should demonstrate good academic standing.

Rosati Family endowed Scholarship Fund

Scholarship shall provide partial or full tuition to at least one student who at the time of the grant of such scholarship is a single parent.

Mike and Phyllis Shea Endowed Law Scholarship Fund

To provide financial assistance to students of SCU, School of Law who are married with children. Recipients should demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

Ann Hannon Smith Law Scholarship

The Ann Hannon Smith Law Scholarship was established in 1979 by the Honorable Jerome A. Smith ('65) in memory of his mother. At Judge Smith's request the scholarship is designated for law students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

Erma E. Southern Prize

This prize was established in 1979 by Erma E. Southern, the longtime secretary to the dean of the School of Law. The prize is awarded each year to the student with the highest grade point average for four years of law school (part-time).

Stinnett Family Scholarship Fund

Recipients should demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

George A. Strong Memorial Scholarship

A native of Oklahoma, George A. Strong attended Santa Clara Law School while teaching economics to Santa Clara undergraduates. He joined the law faculty immediately after receiving his Juris Doctor in 1955, and was appointed Assistant Dean in 1960 and Associate Dean in 1970. Throughout his 38 year career in law teaching, Dean Strong proved that demanding a high standard of academic achievement was not inconsistent with the friendly encouragement and support of his students.

The George A. Strong Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to second and third year students who have excelled in law studies at Santa Clara. Each year, our top ranked students are attractive prospects for transfers to state-supported law schools. The George A. Strong Scholarships will help ensure that financial need is not a factor that motivates a promising student to leave Santa Clara.

Walter V. Walsh Scholarship Fund

One of the Law School's oldest scholarship funds, this perpetual scholarship was provided by a bequest in 1957 from Mr. Walter V. Walsh of San Francisco. The scholarship is for the benefit of students who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.

Richard and Diane Watters Endowed Law Scholarship Fund

Recipients should be in the bottom half of their class and have financial need.

Women and Law Scholarship

Santa Clara University School of Law consistently ranks near the top in the nation as a school that supports and encourages women in the legal profession. In 1988, the Women and Law student organization established the Women and Law Scholarship to support this goal. This scholarship is available to students who participate in community service that is supportive of women's issues and scholarship and/or research in these areas.

For more information contact the Women and Law Association 408-554-4116.

If you are interested in applying, indicate in writing your financial need and/or special circumstances and send your letter to the addresses listed in the Contact section.

Contacts

For information on the application process contact the office of:

Scholarships

Elinore Burkhardt, Director of Law Financial Aid
Santa Clara University School of Law
Santa Clara, CA 95053
408-551-1719

LaToya Powell, Financial Aid/Admissions Counselor

Santa Clara University School of Law
Santa Clara, CA 95053
408-554-4447

Prizes

Dean Donald Polden
Santa Clara University School of Law
Heafey Law Library
Santa Clara, CA 95053
408-554-4362

or contact the group listed after the specific scholarship.

For information on establishing a scholarship contact:

Stacey Rishel
Director, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving
Phone: (408) 554-5496
Fax: (408) 554-5201
SRishel@scu.edu

Santa Clara University School of Law

Law Alumni Relations and Development
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053-0445

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