BC Law’s initiative to offer full-tuition, merit-based scholarships to outstanding applicants entered its second year in September with the selection of Stephen LaBrecque ’17 and Lindsay Pierce ’17 as the new Dean’s Scholars.
“This scholarship has really given me the freedom to pursue my dreams and my career aspirations,” says LaBrecque, who graduated from Notre Dame, holds a master’s in education, and is a former teacher. “I wanted to pursue a legal career in government or public interest. Clinics like the Juvenile Rights Advocacy Program and the Criminal Justice Clinic made BC Law an appealing option.”
While considering law school, LaBrecque interned at the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office, where he heard numerous stories about the burden of student loans. “Financial aid and scholarships were a huge factor in deciding where to attend law school,” he explains.
But there were other factors as well. “In the end, what really drew me to BC Law was the community. I saw a group of students who were willing to work together, not just for their own self-interest, but to serve the greater good,” he says. “In short, I saw a group of future lawyers with whom I wanted to be associated.”
For her part, Lindsay Pierce, who was an undergraduate research fellow in the English Department at Boston College, was highly aware of BC’s emphasis on academic excellence, social justice, and cura personalis, the care of the whole person. The values she found meaningful as an undergraduate, she also wanted in a legal education. Today, she heads up the Eagle-to-Eagle Mentoring program, which pairs law students with BC undergrads interested in law school.
The Dean’s Scholars Program was established with gifts from James Champy ’68, David Donohue ’71, Brian Knez ’84, John McHale ’75, Michael Puzo ’77, and the Miss Wallace Minot Leonard Foundation. For more information on supporting the program, contact Jessica Cashdan, executive director of advancement and associate dean, at jessica.cashdan@bc.edu or call 617-552-3536.