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Giving
Alumni Support Scholarships to Empower the Next Generation
In 2020, six new scholarships were created by generous alumni to help attract high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds to the Law School. These scholarships help bolster the efforts of the Professor Arthur Pinto and Stephen Bohlen Diversity Initiative to support the Law School’s core commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of its community and aid in transforming the legal profession. Highlighted below are four of these new scholarships:
Class of 2005
When his class’s 15-year reunion was interrupted by the pandemic, Tim Oberweger ’05, head of the Alumni Association’s Philanthropy Committee, along with Peter Altman ’05 and Deborah Koplovitz ’05, convened a group of classmates to think of ways to use their anniversary year to give back to the Law School community. After a summer spent reconnecting and discussing, the class had collected almost $20,000 to fund a scholarship that will support students of color, creating an impact that will far outlast their reunion year.
Mark Fung ’94
Recently, Fung created the John and Susan Fung Memorial Scholarship. Named in memory of his parents, the scholarship is awarded for three years to assist the Law School in attracting highly qualified students from underrepresented backgrounds. Fung, in addition to maintaining his own practice focusing on international arbitration, international business practice, and corporate law, is a noted leader in U.S.–China relations, holding posts at the Harvard University Asia Center, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations.
“I believe that diversity strengthens the foundations of law and society,” said Fung. “The John and Susan Fung Memorial Scholarship reflects Brooklyn Law School’s highest virtues of diversity and diligence.”
Shawn Miles ’98
Miles, who has built a multifaceted career in the areas of public policy, law, and business, as well as serving on the Alumni Board, created a new impact scholarship to meaningfully help law students of color. The scholarship will provide immediate funds for three students, one per academic year, increasing the Law School’s ability to recruit and retain highly qualified Black students with an interest in social justice.
“As I’ve become more involved with the Law School as an alumnus, I’ve been inspired by its programs like the Criminal Defense & Advocacy Clinic that are advancing real improvements in social justice,” said Miles. “This gift is my opportunity to support students who care as much about these issues as I do.”
Jordan Zimolka ’16
In the spring, Zimolka made a gift, matched by his employer, Lincoln Financial Group, to strengthen the Frederick E. Curry III ’03 Scholarship. At a point in his career when he “realized it was time to start giving back,” he made this three-year commitment to help continue the growth of the scholarship fund. Named in honor of the Board of Trustees member who founded it, the scholarship is offered to outstanding Black students to help fund their legal education.
To learn more about these and other scholarship opportunities at Brooklyn Law School, please call the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 718-780-7505.