Andrea Walker Receives Weigand Scholarship
Andrea Walker, a student at Washburn University School of Law has been named one of five inaugural recipients of the J.L. Weigand, Jr. Notre Dame Legal Education Scholarship for the 2004-2005 school year.
The Weigand scholarships -- thought to be the largest legal education scholarships in the country -- were established to offer assistance to law students from the state of Kansas. The scholarships provide for tuition, room and board for selected students who have been legal residents of Kansas for at least ten years prior to their admission to law school. In addition to providing tuition assistance, The J.L. Weigand Trust assists scholarship recipients with career placement in Kansas during and after their graduation from law school.
Walker graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1995, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with Distinction and Honors from the University of Kansas in 1999.
She ranks in the top 2% of her class and is Comments Editor for the Washburn Law Journal. While attending law school, Walker is employed as a law clerk at Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer, L.L.P. of Topeka. Walker's commitment to the community is evident as she volunteers her time and serves on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization, Heart of America Performing Arts (Overland Park, KS).
"She has in abundance the analytical ability, diligence, and maturity that suit any job as a lawyer", said Alex Glashausser, Washburn Law Professor who recommended Walker for the award.
J.L. Weigand, Jr., a native of Wichita who returned to his birth city after earning a B.S. from Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate from Georgetown Law School, established the Weigand Foundation to actively promote excellence in legal education and to encourage the most scholastically qualified students who are long term Kansas residents to remain in or return to Kansas to practice law.
According to Karla Beam, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Washburn University School of Law, the scholarships will plan an important role in helping Kansans remain in their home state.
"It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we acknowledge the generosity of Mr. Weigand and his support for future generations of Washburn University School of Law students who wish to remain in Kansas to practice law. Washburn Law has a rich tradition of educating Kansas lawyers. I have no doubt that the legacy of the Weigand Scholarships will be felt for many years to come in the Kansas communities in which Washburn Weigand Scholars will live and practice law."
Claudette Glenn, Trust Administrator for The J.L. Weigand Trust said, "Through his commitment, sacrifices and generosity, Mr. Weigand established a legacy that will benefit Kansas law students for generations to come. What a tremendous gift to Kansas! We're very pleased to award a scholarship to Andrea Walker, and are confident that Kansans will benefit from her ongoing contributions to the legal community."
Information about the Weigand Trust is available online at www.jlweigandtrust.org, or by contacting Claudette Glenn, Trust Administrator, P.O. Box 9632, Wichita, KS 67277.
