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Judge John Minor Wisdom Endowed Scholarship

LSU Law Center Chancellor Jack M. Weiss established the John Minor Wisdom Endowed Scholarship in 2012 to honor Judge John Minor Wisdom of New Orleans. Judge Wisdom served as a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit from 1957 until his death in 1999. He was nominated to the seat by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Judge Wisdom gained national recognition for his role in desegregating the South. Although justly celebrated for his expertise in federal constitutional law, Judge Wisdom also was a learned expositor and devotee of Louisiana civil law. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993. Judge Wisdom attained the rank of Lt. Colonel in the US Arm, serving during World War II from 1942-1946.

Judge Wisdom was a beloved mentor to his many law clerks, including Chancellor Weiss. The scholarship will be awarded to one member of the second or third year class with both an overall record of outstanding academic performance in his or her course work and a demonstrated interest in federal constitutional law.

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