Coming Full Circle
Many of our alumni choose to support our law school after graduation. These thoughtful donations make a law degree possible for future students and inspire others to pass on the support.
Being a first-generation law student poses a multitude of challenges, but generous scholarships continue to lighten my load. I hope to soon be positioned to give back to OU Law in the way that it has given to me!
Donate to a General Fund
The OU College of Law's general funds play a crucial role in our mission to offer a top-notch legal education to students. These funds are used to address the school's most pressing needs. Read more about each option below. For questions about general fund giving, please contact OU Law Alumni Engagement.
Donate to a Specific Scholarship
Discover even more giving options through specific scholarship opportunities. Your support can match your interests and make a real difference for the College and our students. For questions about the following scholarships, please contact the OU Foundation.
Judge Charles "Buzz" Goodwin Scholarship
The Charles "Buzz" Goodwin Scholarship honors the memory of Judge Charles Goodwin. An esteemed OU College of Law graduate, Judge Goodwin served as a district judge in western Oklahoma for 24 years. The scholarship supports law students, with priority given to those from Judge Goodwin's district and those aspiring to practice in Western Oklahoma. Through the endowment, the dean and scholarship committee can allocate funds based on various student needs. This includes recruitment, reward, or financial need. Contributions to the scholarship fund can be made online or by mailing a check to the OU Foundation. Please write “Goodwin Scholarship” in the memo line.
Reid Robison Endowed Scholarship
Renowned trial lawyer Reid Robison, a retired partner with McAfee & Taft, passed away on August 4, 2021, at the age of 76. A distinguished alum of the University of Oklahoma, Reid dedicated 48 years to McAfee & Taft, earning a reputation as a preeminent trial lawyer. This fund, created in his honor, supports scholarships for 2L and 3L students at the College of Law with a passion for litigation. Contributions can be made online or by mailing a check to the OU Foundation. Please write “Reid Robison Scholarship” on the memo line.
Center for International Business and Human Rights
The University of Oklahoma College of Law has established the first International Business and Human Rights Center at a U.S. law school. In today's global business landscape, U.S. companies often face challenges related to human rights in foreign operations. Many businesses now have human rights policies, and the legal community plays a vital role in guiding these efforts. The Center's mission is to:
- Equip students with training and experience to become leaders in this field
- Provide academic support, focusing on the energy/extractive sector and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies
J. Michael Nordin Scholarship Fund
Established in memory of J. Michael Nordin (1957-2019) by McAfee & Taft and other donors. Nordin was a cherished partner at McAfee & Taft, joining in 1982 after earning his Juris Doctor from OU College of Law. Over his 37-year career, he excelled in complex business transactions, specializing in real estate and healthcare. Recipients of this scholarship honor Nordin's legacy by expressing an interest in real estate and/or business/corporate transactional work.
Support the M.L.S. Program
Donations to the Annual Giving Fund and Scholarship Fund support the ongoing operations of the Masters of Legal Studies program by providing scholarships to M.L.S. students.
Preserving a Legacy of Civil Rights and Justice
Thanks to a generous gift of $910,000 from an anonymous donor, along with support from nearly 80 contributors, OU Law has established the Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Chair in Civil Rights, Race, and Justice in Law. The goal is to empower future OU lawyers committed to legal reform through teaching and research in these areas. The anonymous donor is also pledging to match up to $90,000 for ongoing donations to the chair. Explore the life of Dr. Fisher and the legacy this chair preserves.
In 1949, Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher broke barriers as the first African American admitted to OU Law. This came after a three-year legal battle against racial segregation. Her landmark case, decided unanimously by the U.S. Supreme Court, set the stage for ending segregation in public education nationwide.
After graduating in 1951, Fisher practiced law in Chickasha, joined Langston University's faculty, and received an honorary doctorate from OU in 1991. Despite once being rejected, she later served on the OU Board of Regents. Fisher's legacy inspires courage and empowerment, showcasing the impact of standing up and speaking up. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher passed away on October 18, 1995.
OU Law Interim Dean Katheleen Guzman, along with Dr. Fisher’s children, Bruce Fisher and Charlene Factory, pose with a portrait of Dr. Fisher in Andrew M. Coats Hall. During a Q&A in the Bell Courtroom, Bruce and Charlene shared memories of their mother, encouraging students to carry on her legacy. This event was part of a week-long university-wide celebration honoring Dr. Fisher and other civil rights leaders.
“Dr. Fisher was an everyday person who had the courage, the spirit, the smarts, and the love to do superhuman things. She empowers each and every one of us by showing us what standing up and speaking up can do. She believed in herself, and paradoxically in so doing, she revealed her belief in us. She is an inspiration come to life.”
- OU Law Interim Dean Katheleen Guzman
In 2022, OU Law selected Carla D. Pratt as its inaugural recipient of the Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Chair in Civil Rights, Race and Justice in Law.
By establishing a fund in her honor, it means that OU and the community can protect her legacy and further her mission of instilling civil rights and civil discourse – whether funded by the many or by the few. A fund in her honor ensures that she lives on.
Supporting the Legacy
The Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Chair in Civil Rights, Race, and Justice in Law was established to celebrate Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher's lasting influence on OU Law and civil rights. The chair will be used to elevate an existing or prospective faculty member to the highest academic award available to a professor. It also passes on Dr. Fisher’s legacy by inspiring up-and-coming lawyers to continue her important work. By supporting this chair, you're helping to ensure that civil rights, race, and justice remain a permanent and essential aspect of the OU College of Law.
For more information, contact (405) 325-9175 or law.alumni@ou.edu or melissa.mortazavi@ou.edu.
Give to the Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Chair in Civil Rights, Race, and Justice in Law
DONATION OPTIONS
