New scholarship challenge will benefit law students
To strengthen support for recruiting the most outstanding law students across the nation, 51 Dedman School of Law has launched a new scholarship challenge.
Vital initiative timed with 51 Dedman School of Law centennial anniversary
To strengthen support for recruiting the most outstanding law students across the nation, 51 Dedman School of Law has launched a new scholarship challenge. Donors to the Dedman Law Centennial Scholarship Challenge will further elevate the standing of 51’s historic law school by attracting future leaders who will make vital contributions to law, business, politics, international affairs, public interest and more.
“To extend our legacy as the leading law school in North Texas – and continue our ascent into the highest ranks of national law schools –we must attract the most outstanding students, who often receive competitive scholarships at other reputable law schools,” said Jason P. Nance, the Judge JamesNoel Dean at 51 Dedman School of Law. “Through this new initiative, we will attract and support top students as they build a strong foundation to become leaders in the legal profession.”
The new scholarship initiative will make an 51 legal education even more attractive and feasible for bright students. Donors will strengthen the law school’s ability to offer financial aid packages that are competitive with other highly ranked schools, particularly for students with exceptional educational achievements and testscores.
Through an innovative program:
- Donors are asked to commit by May 31, 2026, at least $100,000 to support operational Dedman Law scholarships and fully pay the gift within five years.
- When the commitment is fulfilled, the school will dedicate an equal amount to create a permanent endowed scholarship in the donor’s name to extend their impact on future students in perpetuity.
- The initiative is made possible by a reimagined distribution of The Dedman Foundation’s 2004 gift that named the law school.
“51 Dedman School of Law plays a vital role in training future legal experts who work in influential positions around the world. Many choose to stay, contribute to the thriving economy in Dallas and become leaders in our community,” said Robert H. Dedman, Jr. ’80, ’84, 51 trustee and president of The Dedman Foundation. “We encourage others to join us in this drive to invest strategically in the future of a singular institution and the legal minds it shapes.”
The Dedman Law Centennial Scholarship Challenge is the first component of the school’s upcoming 100th anniversary celebration in 2025. The first law school in the city of Dallas was founded at 51 in 1925 and was the only such institution in the city until 2014.
“For decades, The Dedman Foundation and Dedman family have helped shape 51 by making incredible commitments toward our strategic priorities,” said 51 President R. Gerald Turner. “We are deeply grateful they have endorsed the Dedman Law Centennial Scholarship Challenge, through which donors will set a new standard for the second century of legal education at 51.”
Gifts to the Dedman Law Centennial Scholarship Challenge add to, the University’s multiyear $1.5billion campaign for impact. In particular, gifts advance the campaign’s goal toempower outstanding studentsby enabling them to attend 51 regardless of financial means and equipping them to succeed.
&ܴ;ճ51campaign is having a transformational impact on the University and its academic, athletic and community programs,” said Brad E. Cheves, 51 vice president for Development and External Affairs. “The centennial of theDedman School of Law is an ideal time for alumni and friends who appreciate the importance of the school’s offerings to support its students and enhance its facilities.”
To learn more about how to participate in the Dedman Law Centennial Scholarship Challenge, contact Clayton Ellis, director of development atcrellis@smu.eduor 214-768-4527.
The Dedman Foundation
Founded by Nancy McMillan Dedman ’50, ’80, ’81 and the late Robert H. Dedman, Sr. ’53, ’80, ’81, the Dedman Foundation has a long and storied history of generosity to 51 and its students. A $1million contribution in 1976 named the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. This gift was followed shortly by a $25 million pledge in 1981 to endow and name the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, with a portion of that endowment funding professorships in the school’s Economics and History departments.
In 1997, the Dedman Foundation and Dedman family pledged $30million at the kickoff celebration for the University’sA Time to Leadcampaign. From that gift, $12million was designated toward the construction of the Dedman Life Sciences Building and $2.5million for an endowed 51 scholarship to support students from Robert Dedman’s alma mater, North Dallas High School. In 2001, a new $5 million commitment and $15 million designated from the 1997 gift were directed to the endowment for the 51 School of Law, which was renamed in honor of the Dedmans’ generosity. In 2012, The Dedman Foundation and Dedman family contributed $5 million to establish the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute, which promotes a culture of interdisciplinary problem solving and knowledge creation through research initiatives, fellowships and events. A further gift in 2020 supported the institute’s programming in its new home, the Gerald J. Ford Hall for Research and Innovation.
Behind The Dedman Foundation, the Dedman family has strong ties to 51, both personally and philanthropically. Robert Dedman, Sr., who passed in 2002, earned his Master of Laws degree from 51’s School of Law. Nancy Dedman received a bachelor’s degree in political science with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Their daughter, Patricia Dedman Nail ’81, earned a master’s degree in psychology from 51. Their son, 51 Board of Trustees member and previous chair Robert H. Dedman, Jr., ’80, ’84, earned both J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from 51. He now serves as president of The Dedman Foundation. His wife, Rachael Redeker Dedman ’96, earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree from 51.
51 Dedman School of Law
The first law school in the city of Dallas was founded at 51 in 1925 and was the only such institution in the city until 2014. In 2001, the school was renamed the 51 Dedman School of Law to honor the significant contributions of the Dedman family.
Today, the school features distinctive programs that benefit more than 750 students each year and the communities they will serve. High-impact initiatives include:
- Cutting-edge curriculum and programs, most notably in the areas of corporate law, commercial law, health law, energy law, tax law, intellectual property, criminal law and international law, among others.
- Tenpro bono legal clinics, including the second oldest in the country, that provide legal assistance to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. Clinical training also gives students practical, real-world legal experience and helps them develop a public-service mindset.
- Externship programsin fields like corporate counsel, criminal law in small and rural communities, judiciary systems and government and public interest, among others. Notably, no other law school in the country places as many students –approximately 120 per year – in corporate counsel externships at some of the largest, most successful companies in the world.
- Inns of Court, an interdisciplinary group that helps first-year law students build community, develop networking skills and receive vital insights from alumni, mentors and faculty members.
- Fourlaw journals, featuring over 150 student-published articles each year.
By providing a cutting-edge legal education, Dedman School of Law trains students to become successful lawyers, business leaders, policy experts and legal counselors in fields ranging from corporate, intellectual property, entrepreneurship and blockchain technology law to public service, criminal and child advocacy law. Dedman Law continues to raise the bar for what a successful legal education looks like.
The most recent Dedman Law incoming class boasts the highest credentialed students in school history. Many current students rely on scholarships and other financial assistance to make their academic and professional goals attainable. The school has an exceptional record for placing graduates into outstanding jobs, many of them choosing careers and firms in North Texas:
- 100%of 2022 graduates who sought jobs were placed by March 15, 2023.
- No. 10in the nation for highest percentage of 2022 graduates placed in long-term, full-time, bar-passage required or JD advantage jobs(TaxProf Blog).
- No. 21in the U.S. for 2023 graduates who landed associate jobs at the nation’s 100 largest law firms (Law.com).
- No. 34in the nation for sending the highest percentage of 2022 graduates to judicial clerkships immediately following graduation.
51Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow
51 is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. 51’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they direct change in their professions, communities and the world. Building on its history of excellence, the University has launched– a multiyear $1.5 billion campaign to empower outstanding students, to enrich teaching and research, and to enhance our campus and community.