MW
Michael Williford
  • Law
  • Class of 2017
  • Decatur, GA

Michael Williford Receives Georgia State Law Scholarship

2016 Feb 2

Michael Williford of Atlanta was among the 151 Georgia State Law students and their donors recognized at the Eighth Annual Scholarship Donor and Recipient Recognition Luncheon at Georgia State University College of Law.

After being accepted to law school, Julio C. Perez-Bravo (J.D. 18) had sleepless nights. Being an attorney was his dream, but the stress of paying for law school weighed heavily on him.

When something is pivotal to your life, and you think you'll have to postpone it because you can't afford it, it's troubling, he said. When he got the news that he received the Catherine Henson Law Scholarship, he began sleeping again, he said.

"It is more than just money," Perez-Bravo said at the Eighth Annual Scholarship Donor and Recipient Recognition Luncheon at Georgia State University College of Law. "It's a lifeline more so than a scholarship. It was a relief. I could keep following my dream."

Williford was one of 151 students recognized at the luncheon, which brings together scholarship recipients and donors.

"Scholarships are critical to the success of students," said Steven J. Kaminshine, dean and professor of law. "Without support, costs can prevent talented members of our community who are able to make contributions to our legal community and beyond from getting a legal education.

"We are so grateful because we know you see the bigger picture, Kaminshine said. I salute you in how you've stepped up to help these students."

"Having an opportunity to meet the people who have donated and given their time and resources to the school is really honorable to us. It's especially meaningful to be face to face with the person that gave the scholarship a lot of people don't have that opportunity," said Umarah Ali (J.D. 17).

Ali said receiving the Deans Scholar was a huge honor.

"It's double meaningful to me because I think it's important for minorities to not only be in the legal field but be successful in the legal field, she said. It's opened a lot of doors to meeting people and given me access to many resources at the school."

The scholarship takes the pressure off of having to work full time while enrolled, which has given Ali time to work as a GRA with the Lawyering: Foundations Program and give back by mentoring first-year students.

Michelle Namer (J.D. 17), a Catherine Henson Law Scholarship recipient, also said the scholarship allows her to focus on law school instead of finances.

"It gave me some relief," she said. "And then the fact that my donor happened to be such a fantastic figure in the legal community, and so willing to connect with me created just another connection with Georgia State Law to make it feel more like a community and not just a school that I go to. I adore Cathy Henson."

This year, 13 students received a Catherine Henson Law Scholarship. Cathy Henson (J.D. 89) said she started the scholarship because she was also once a part-time law student struggling with the financial burden.

"Back when I started this 10 years ago, the law school had few scholarships," she said. "Many students who come here don't often have the financial means to go to school without working full-time. I understand how important it is to alleviate that financial pressure."

She appreciates and enjoys the opportunity to meet the interesting students who receive her scholarship. "It's very cool; I call it team Henson."

Lucy Zhang (J.D.16), the Michele and James Young Fellow in the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic said law school would have been a financial burden without the help of the scholarship.

"I feel very blessed and thankful, she said. It not only helps with tuition, it allows me to have great practical experience," said Zhang, who is also a GRA in the clinic.

Charlotte Min Ji Kim (J.D. 18), the daughter of South Korean immigrants who didn't attend college, said this is the first time she has been able to go to school full time without working, thanks to the Ben and Stella Johnson Law Scholarship.

Receiving the acceptance notice from Georgia State Law was the most fantastic letter she ever received, she said. However, she was terrified she would be unable to pay for basic necessities in addition to tuition, or would graduate with crippling debt.

"The moment I received a letter saying I received a scholarship, everything changed, she said. What once was nearly impossible on my own became possible with the help and the contribution of someone I had never even met."

Couldn't make it to the luncheon, watch the speeches.