Penn State Law Class of 2020 assists students impacted by COVID-19

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State Law in University Park Class of 2020 gave the first-ever 3L gift to the law school this year. Traditionally, a class gift is used to enhance a law school’s ability to achieve its educational mission through scholarships, student awards, or support of clinics and journals. However, as the severe impact of the pandemic on students became clear, the SBA President, Chris Parker ’20, and the class gift organizer, D. Addison Murray ’20, worked with the Penn State Law Alumni Society Board and Dean Hari Osofsky to make a meaningful gift to support their classmates affected by the pandemic. 

The Class of 2020 exceeded its fundraising goals and made a significant gift to the Penn State Law COVID-19 Student Support Fund, which provides emergency aid to Penn State Law students affected by COVID-19. The Student Support Fund has since been dispersing funds to assist students with rent, food, and life-saving medications. The law school fund complements the university’s Student Emergency Fund and provides aid beyond what the university fund can support.

“The 3L Class Gift will further demonstrate the values of community, selflessness, strength, and generosity that this third-year law class so clearly champions,” said Parker.

A plaque commemorating the 3L class gift will be displayed at the law school in the fall to serve as a reminder of the importance of philanthropy, the generosity of the Class of 2020, and the way the Penn State Law community came together during the crisis.

“We are so grateful to the Penn State Law Class of 2020 and its leaders for this inaugural class gift that provides critical support to our students at a time of great need,” said Osofsky. “Many of our students have been severely impacted by COVID-19, and this gift will make an important difference and embodies our values of a supportive and inclusive community.”