Scholarship Luncheon Brings Students and Donors Together

On April 20, a group of alumni who fund Columbia Law School scholarships dined side by side with current students who benefit from their generosity at the Scholarship Luncheon in Case Lounge.  In her welcome, Gillian Lester, Dean and the Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law, reaffirmed her commitment to a “deep, sustained, and focused way to make it more affordable to come to Columbia Law” for students regardless of their socioeconomic status. She paid tribute to the donors whose gifts ensure that anyone with the talent, drive, and interest has access to a Columbia Law School education.

George W. Madison ’80, a partner at Sidley Austin, spoke movingly of how scholarships open doors for deserving students. Madison—who established both the Donna J. Madison Memorial Scholarship in honor of his late wife and, along with other donors, the Eric H. Holder, Jr. Scholarship Fund—introduced Nicole Fleming ’20.

In her speech, Fleming spoke of her journey from community college to the metro desk of The Boston Globe, and, ultimately, to Columbia. “I wouldn’t get to be here if it weren’t for your philanthropy,” she told the assembled donors.

Fleming explained that her passion for digital rights and privacy issues stems from her newspaper experience. “I believe privacy will be the defining legal issues of the 21st century,” she said. “Investigative journalism is hindered when the government or corporation you’re investigating is able to track where you’re going, who you are talking to, and what you’re talking about, all without ever justifying it.”

Fleming vowed to combine her journalism skills and legal education to shed light on important issues. “I’m going to keep looking for stories that need to be told,” she said, “and I’m going to use my Columbia Law degree to tell those stories.”

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Posted on May 30, 2018