UMass Law partners with Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation to provide legal education pathways

The University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth is partnering with the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation to create opportunities for Truman Scholars to earn their law degree. The UMass Law Truman Foundation Public Service Scholarship program will offer Truman Scholars admitted to UMass Law a full scholarship, including tuition and fees, for the duration of their enrollment. This is the first dedicated scholarship partnership with a law school in the history of the Truman Foundation.

The Truman Foundation is the living memorial to America’s thirty-third President Harry S. Truman. Since its establishment by Congress in 1975, the Truman Foundation has awarded 3,384 merit-based scholarships to undergraduate students that are “future change agents” – students who demonstrate the passion, intellect and leadership potential to serve the public interest.

“For almost 45 years, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation has served as a beacon for public service, inspiring Americans from diverse backgrounds and from across the country,” said Dr. Terry Babcock-Lumish, Executive Secretary of the Truman Foundation. “Since 1977, we have selected 90 Scholars from Massachusetts and nine from the UMass system. Thank you to Dean Mitnick, our 2015 Massachusetts Scholar Jacob Miller, and the UMass Law community for championing public service at this historic time.”

“We are excited to partner with the Truman Foundation to increase opportunities for dedicated public servants to enter the legal profession,” said UMass Law Dean Eric Mitnick. “At UMass Law, our students and faculty work toward enhancing access to justice and contribute to the social development of our communities. The proven dedication and passion of Truman Scholars—paired with our institution’s mission—will truly impact public service.”

“UMass Law and the Truman Foundation create a powerful public service partnership that will shape the next generation of leaders. Both institutions have profoundly changed my life. After earning the Truman Scholarship and graduating from UMass Dartmouth as an undergraduate, I spent two years studying in the United Kingdom. When I arrived back home, UMass Law and its public service mission made it the best choice to pursue my legal education,” said Jacob Miller, a 2016 UMass Dartmouth graduate and current UMass law student, who won the Truman Scholarship in 2015.

Over the past six years, UMass Law ranked second among all law schools in New England for the percentage of graduates employed in public service and was ranked #1 in Massachusetts and New England, and #14 in the nation by National Jurist for preparing students for careers in government.