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College of Law launches matching gift campaign

November 20, 2013
Jennifer L. Rosato

Jennifer L. Rosato

NIU’s College of Law has received a matching gift challenge from an anonymous donor to match up to $25,000 in new and increased gifts made by Tuesday, Dec. 31, Dean Jennifer Rosato has announced.

Donations raised in this campaign will be used for key efforts to increase student success.

“Student success continues to be a priority of NIU College of Law and the university with the ultimate goal of enhancing their experiences, their preparedness and their marketability,” Rosato said. “Support of these initiatives by alumni and friends of the law school will have a substantial impact on the College of Law, improving the skills our law students need to be excellent lawyers, and providing valuable opportunities for new graduates.”

Support for this campaign will directly benefit NIU Law students in three important ways:

  • Through its summer internship initiative, which provides financial assistance to students and allows them to gain valuable career experience;
  • By providing bar prep assistance for graduates so they are able to devote their full efforts to study for the exam and increases first-time pass rates; and
  • By awarding post-graduate fellowships to enhance the career opportunities for graduates in the first year of practice.

In most cases, internships are unpaid and students often have to forgo these positions to take paying, non-legal jobs or take on additional debt to support themselves.

Kaitlin Barclay

Kaitlin Barclay

Kaitlin Barclay, a third-year law student, was grateful to have been the recipient of a summer scholarship. The scholarship allowed her to intern in the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Domestic Violence Division.

“Not only was I receiving valuable legal experience,” Barclay said, “but I felt as though I was truly making a difference by working with victims of domestic violence and making sure their voices were heard in the prosecution process.”

“In my years as dean of the College of Law, one theme resounds when I speak to our alumni,” Rosato added. “That theme centers on the fact that NIU Law is a special place where students are challenged to do their best in a supportive, collegial environment.”

Participation in this matching gift challenge will provide invaluable opportunities for our students and young alumni by offering financial support at a time when they most need it.

For more information, call (815) 753-9655 or email mmitchell@niu.edu.