"Your Support of the Law Center Affects All Graduates, Past and Present", Says Page

A Message from Immediate Past Chair Cyd Sheree Page

Like so many graduates of the Law Center during the early 1980's and beyond, I can attest to the reluctance of so many of my classmates who, over the years, elected to refrain from supporting the Law Center. I have heard of (and witnessed )countless past unpleasant experiences while they, or friends, were students at LSU. Since graduating in 1984, however, I have been blessed to have one daughter and one step-son obtain their JD degrees from LSU, and I have seen the transformation of the Law Center to an institution where students are its highest priority. Witnessing this personally has led me to reevaluate that earlier position and recognize that our support is warranted and needed now, more than ever. 

As the state's flagship law center, we are increasingly concerned with the financial burden placed on our students. This is especially true given the fact that state funding to the Law Center has been cut by over 17% over the past several years, and unfortunately, it would appear that we have not seen the last of these cuts. Chancellor's Council members help the Law Center bridge the funding gap and continue honoring its core mission - providing the future leaders of Louisiana with a rigorous legal education that prepares them to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

The Chancellor's Council's current membership has grown to include over 300 of our alumni and friends. Contributions from those members have significantly impacted the remarkable progress and achievement celebrated by the Law Center which include partial funding of the Law Center's nationally-ranked moot court program, the recruitment of new faculty members, a junior scholars fellowship program, support for the clinic and externship program, student public interest fellowships and student scholarships to name a few.

Not only does your contribution to the Law Center directly impact LSU's current and future graduates as noted above, your contributions also affect past graduates as well . The percentage of alumni who contribute to their alma mater is one of the considerations taken into account in the national ranking of law schools in the nation. Accordingly, your decision to contribute or not directly impacts the Law Center's national ranking. LSU Law is currently ranked 84th by U.S. News, which is well within the top 100 law schools. However, we are striving to attain an even higher ranking which will, in turn, affect all degrees the Law Center has and will confer.

Your continued support of the Chancellor's Council is needed and appreciated, and we ask that you encourage your friends and colleagues who are fellow graduates to join as well -- if not at the Chancellor Council's level, at whatever level they can assist, as all contributions are needed and valued. Thank you for your support.