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���ϲ����� School of Law marked a record-breaking year for philanthropy and alumni engagement in 2024-25 — evidence of growing support for its mission to graduate practice-ready lawyers.

The yearlong effort to build support in student scholarships and experiential learning opportunities resulted in the highest level of giving since 2019.

Here are the numbers worth celebrating:

• 266 total gifts — a 29% increase, surpassing last year’s record
• More than 40 gifts placed benefactors into the ���ϲ����� Society, ���ϲ�����’s most faithful and generous donors, a 31% percent year-over-year increase
• $46,000 raised on ���ϲ����� Day 2025 — up 82% from ���ϲ����� Day 2024 (a record at the time)
• Alumni participation at new highwater marks, with nearly 10% giving in support of students — smashing the previous record set in 2023-24.

“This kind of momentum signals something big ahead,” ���ϲ����� Law Dean Zak Kramer said. “Support from alumni, faculty, staff and friends fuels bold ideas — like expanding opportunities in Charlotte and deepening our impact in Greensboro as the premiere skills law school. At ���ϲ����� Law, we help students make their dreams come true. It’s inspiring to see so many joining us in that mission.”

Throughout the year, Kramer and Assistant Dean Scott Leighty ’09 prioritized personal connections, meeting one-on-one with nearly 200 constituents. The law school also hosted regional events and virtual alumni updates that kept graduates informed and engaged.

Alumni gave to ���ϲ����� Law for personal and professional reasons. Joseph De Mond L’21, now assistant city attorney of Carbondale, Illinois, said his support is rooted in gratitude for Dean Emeritus George Johnson’s teaching and inspiration.

“���ϲ����� scholarships helped me get to where I am now, and to me, Dean Johnson exemplified that duty to give back,” De Mond said. “I was privileged enough to take contracts with Dean Johnson and was truly moved by his dedication. As able, I hope to continue donating to support the great things ���ϲ����� does for its students.”

“Knowing that others are invested in my journey has given me a renewed sense of motivation and purpose. It’s made a meaningful impact, not just financially, but in reminding me that hard work and commitment don’t go unnoticed.”

Kaytlyn Mullins L’25

The ���ϲ����� Law community is thriving, thanks in large part to dedicated alumni and friends, said Leighty.

“We like to say that big things are happening at ���ϲ����� Law. Indeed they are, especially in the alumni and philanthropy spaces,” Leighty said. “���ϲ����� Law alumni care deeply about this place and keep ���ϲ����� Law a priority in their lives by connecting with us, opening doors for students and other alums, and giving generously to support the next generation of ���ϲ����� lawyers. It’s special.”

The impact of philanthropy for ���ϲ����� Law students

Gifts to ���ϲ����� Law have a direct impact on students and the opportunities available to them.

“Receiving a scholarship was a real encouragement during a demanding year of law school,” said Kaytlyn Mullins L’25, who completed her residency with Judge Julianna Theall Earp of the N.C. Business Court, served as a teaching assistant for Vice Dean Alan Woodlief’s torts class, and is interning at Baker Donelson in Atlanta this summer.

“Knowing that others are invested in my journey has given me a renewed sense of motivation and purpose. It’s made a meaningful impact, not just financially, but in reminding me that hard work and commitment don’t go unnoticed.”

Scholarship support empowers students like Darci Sharpe L’25 to make the most of their ���ϲ����� Law experience.

“My scholarship gave me the financial freedom to devote my time fully to my studies instead of worrying about my finances or a part-time job,” Sharpe said. “This freedom has allowed me to pursue extra-curricular activities, such as moot court and the ���ϲ����� Law Review, that have been important to my growth as a law student and future lawyer but would not have been possible otherwise.”