Today, I wish to reflect upon a topic that has left an indelible mark on my own life and countless others: the profound impact of scholarship support.
Scholarships have been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of my own academic journey. As a young student coming from a background where options were limited, I received offers of full scholarships from prestigious institutions such as UCLA and UC Berkeley. Ultimately, I chose to attend Princeton, and there’s no doubt that without the transformative power of scholarships, I could not have embarked upon the academic odyssey that has brought me here today, serving as your proud dean.
Reflecting upon my own experiences, I am acutely aware of the changing landscape of legal education. Though crucial to my undergraduate pursuits, scholarships didn’t play much of a role in my time at law school. Those of you who attended law school a few decades ago know firsthand that public law school tuition fees were comparatively low, and the income earned from many summer associate positions was more than sufficient to cover the costs. The reality today’s students face is vastly different. The financial burden of pursuing a legal education has grown exponentially, making scholarships mission critical.
At Colorado Law, scholarships have provided a beacon of hope and a pathway to achievement. These scholarships have allowed us to attract not only the future legal giants of Colorado and the nation but, just as importantly, the civic giants who will champion justice and fairness in our society.
It is with immense gratitude that I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the alumni donors who make scholarships possible. Your generosity has empowered generations of students to pursue their dreams and contribute to the legal profession and society at large. You have provided the means for deserving individuals to transform their lives, and your impact will resonate far beyond the confines of our campus.
As we celebrate these successes, we also find ourselves mourning the loss of one of our beloved community members, Charles Wilkinson. Charles was an accomplished professor and a distinguished scholar. Long before I came to Colorado Law and became personally acquainted with Charles, his scholarly work on the public trust doctrine helped to guide me as a junior professor teaching property law. I was far from alone in admiring Charles—he was an esteemed mentor to many, and a source of inspiration for all who knew him. His unwavering commitment to justice, his profound love for the law, and his compassionate spirit touched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and community members.
The pages of this magazine are filled with stories of achievements and aspirations, as we celebrate the role scholarships have played in shaping the lives of our students and graduates. Let us be reminded of the transformative power of education, and the importance of ensuring that it remains accessible to all. Together, we can continue to build upon our legacy of excellence, propelling our institution and its graduates to even greater heights.
In closing, I extend my deepest appreciation to every one of you. It is through your dedication that we are able to make a difference in the lives of our students, and through their accomplishments, we create a brighter future for us all.
Lolita Buckner Inniss
Dean and Provost's Professor of Law