by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
The law firm of Holland & Knight hosted University of North Florida’s Pre-Law Advisory Board scholarship luncheon last Wednesday.
A luncheon is held every month either at a Downtown law firm or at UNF. Holland & Knight has hosted the scholarship luncheon the past few years. This is the third year the Pre-Law program has awarded scholarships to UNF students who plan to attend law school.
Last Wednesday, members of the Pre-Law Advisory Board made up of local attorneys, judges and UNF alumni, heard from four UNF students about why they wanted to attend law school after they receive their undergraduate degree at UNF.
The four students are Kelli Kiefer, Maria Crowley, Joe Mederias and Erika Wilson.
To be eligible to receive the scholarship, they had to be enrolled in the Pre-Law Program for two consecutive semesters, must have a 3.25 GPA and maintain it, and they must be enrolled as a full-time student.
Martin Edwards, the director of the Pre-Law Program, said they have about 300 students enrolled in the program and about 25-30 go on to law school.
“Not all who are enrolled (in the program) want to go to law school, but that is a large number for UNF,” he said.
Five local attorneys helped contribute to the scholarship endowment fund. The student who is awarded the scholarship will receive about $1,500 to be used towards their law degree.
“I think a lot of small programs like this one concentrate on attracting good students,” said Edwards. “I think we have accomplished that goal and this gives them that vehicle to move forward.”
Edwards created the Pre-Law Program at UNF 15 years ago.