Skip to main content

TJSL Student Wins Prestigious Scholarship from National Bar Association

April 22, 2013

NBA Scholarship

TJSL student Shannon Laoye 1L has been awarded the highly prestigious Gertrude E. Rush Scholarship by the National Bar Association.

“I felt extremely honored and blessed when I was asked to attend the Gertrude E. Rush Award Dinner hosted by the National Bar Association,” said Laoye, who was invited by the president John Page, as a scholarship applicant.  “While there, I was able to network with other law students, judges, and lawyers of color from all over the country. To my surprise, I was announced as the Gertrude E. Rush Scholarship recipient at the ceremony that evening.  It was truly an amazing and captivating celebration, paying tribute to leaders in the legal field and professionals who help shape and uplift our communities.”

“As chairman of the TJSL Board of Trustees, I watched with great pride as Shannon accepted her scholarship award,” said Randy K. Jones, a past president of the NBA, who emceed the gala. “It is not only a true testament to the quality and caliber of students attending TJSL, but also to our outstanding and dedicated faculty that teach and nurture our students. Gertrude E. Rush, the first African American female lawyer was a trailblazer and pioneer. I know that Shannon, and other TJSL students, based upon the legal education they receive during their time here, will continue in the spirit and tradition of Gertrude E. Rush.”

The scholarships honor the legacies of legal trailblazers Justice Thurgood Marshall, Charles Hamilton Houston and, of course, Gertrude E. Rush, who was also a founder of the National Bar Association.

The 33rd Annual Gertrude E. Rush Award Dinner, which was held on Saturday, April 6, at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California.

Congratulations to Shannon Laoye from the Entire TJSL Family!