Dear Friends, 

Our Ignatian tradition inspires us to be “contemplatives in action,” pairing discernment with engagement to serve others with greater wisdom and compassion. Putting contemplation into action means reflecting on our values and sense of justice, then rolling up our sleeves and doing the work. A Jesuit legal education prepares us to be pragmatic leaders who challenge the status quo and work toward a more just and humane world. At Santa Clara Law, our students, faculty, and staff educators are builders who put their ideals into action, using the law as a force for good.

One of the most important aspects of our education in action lies in our centers and clinics. Here, students work shoulder-to-shoulder with faculty experts on important and timely issues, including human rights, criminal justice reform, and community-centered pro bono work. In addition to the legal support they provide to the community, our clinics and centers amplify the voices of exceptional leaders who advance the cause of justice.

On Wednesday, March 19, the Alexander Community Law Center awarded Shakti Belway the 2025 Katharine and George Alexander Law Prize. Shakti is an extraordinary advocate for children and families whose groundbreaking work in racial justice and extensive background in policy reform and civil rights brilliantly exemplify the desire of the Alexander family to instill a passion for justice in others. We are proud to have the opportunity to honor her exemplary advocacy on behalf of children and families. As I shared at the uplifting Alexander Law Prize ceremony, Fred Rogers, the brilliant visionary behind “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood,” defined a hero as anyone who does anything to help a child. By that definition, Shakti Belway is a hero thousands and thousands of times over. In her beautiful and powerful acceptance speech, Shakti thanked the law school and the Alexander family for helping her to do the heroic work of ensuring that every child is treated with equal dignity and afforded the opportunity to reach their full human potential.   

In this same spirit of heroism, we celebrated the extraordinary contributions of some of our distinguished alumni, students, and dear friends on Friday, March 21 at the "Celebration of Achievement and Inclusive Excellence" awards. Congratulations to our exceptional honorees: Steven S. Skikos, recipient of the Amicus Award; Molly McDonald, recipient of the Special Achievement Award; Mita Datta, recipient of the Rising Star Award; Omar Habbas, recipient of the Owens Lawyer of the Year Award; and David Tsai and Don Polden (awarded posthumously) who received the Inclusive Excellence Award. The ceremony also honored this year’s recipients of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship, Alejandra Barcena, Zachary Kirk, and Veronica Diaz, for their service to the community and commitment to social justice. We are so proud of the way they represent our highest Jesuit ideals with an unwavering commitment to justice, ethics, and community service. As contemplatives in action, they model for us all the power of doing the heroic work of building the future of justice.

With warm regards and tremendous gratitude,

Michael J. Kaufman (He/Him/His)
Dean and Professor of Law
Santa Clara University School of Law
mjkaufman@scu.edu