Amy DeVan 鈥�01, executive director at Wheeler Trigg O鈥橠onnell LLP, has established a first-of-its-kind scholarship to cover the cost of books for first-generation law students with financial need for all three years of law school. By removing this barrier, DeVan hopes to ease financial anxiety for students and open the door to a richer law school experience.
鈥淲hen I was a first-generation law student, finding ways to navigate the process鈥攂oth emotionally and financially鈥攚as pretty tough,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really would like to alleviate that stress and give another first-generation student of limited economic means the chance to experience law school鈥攚hich is hard enough!鈥攚ithout that worry.鈥�
While exploring philanthropic opportunities at Colorado Law, it was important for DeVan to feel a personal connection to her giving. After several conversations with the Advancement team, DeVan proposed the idea for the scholarship鈥斺�渁n idea I鈥檇 had for a while that really mattered to me, had personal significance, and excited me,鈥� she said. She encourages other alumni to take a similar creative approach.
鈥淭he university is very open to working with alumni interested in donating to find a way for them to do it in a meaningful fashion鈥攁nd that鈥檚 a win-win,鈥� she said.