LSU Law scholarship benefactors and recipients gathered at The Club at Union Square on Tuesday, Feb. 25, for the annual Scholarship Reception.
As LSU Law Dean Alena Allen greeted scholarship benefactors and recipients at The Club at Union Square on Tuesday, Feb. 25, she reminded everyone of the important reason why the Law Center hosts its Scholarship Reception each year.
“We are here because we all believe in the power of a legal education and in the power to change lives with a law degree,” Allen said. “So many of our donors have done exactly that, and so many of our students are inspired to do the same.”
Over the past five years, LSU Law has awarded a total of $3.6 million in scholarships to law students thanks to the generosity of alumni, donors, and friends. Five new scholarships were created last year to continue to support students at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, including the:
- Peter and Alice Arbour Scholarship
- John and Tracey Cox Scholarship
- Carey J. Messina Memorial Scholarship
- Oelking Family Endowed Scholarship
- Kim and Marshall Roy Scholarship
At the reception, 2L Christian Gallusser and 1L Camilla Valenzuela shared how scholarships have helped them to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Gallusser said he had only considered law schools closer to his home in Rochester Hills, Michigan, before he received a competitive scholarship package from LSU Law. As a former financial advisor, he had been concerned about whether he could afford law school.
“I personally want to thank Nancy and Scott for their generosity,” said Gallusser, referring to Nancy and Scott Jolly, who are benefactors of the Judge & Mrs. Henry Yelverton Scholarship he received. “Because I would not be here if it wasn’t for scholarships.”
Gallusser recently won the 2025 Fordham National Basketball Negotiation Competition along with fellow 2L Joshua Silverman, an experience that he credits donors for supporting.
“When we look toward the future, it’s important to grow the scholarships that LSU Law can offer to attract prospective students and be competitive,” he said.
Valenzuela echoed his sentiments. She originally moved to Baton Rouge in 2016 to attend LSU for her undergraduate degree. Despite some of the tumultuous events that took place that year, Valenzuela knew Louisiana was home for her.
“After completing my undergraduate degree at LSU, I knew I wanted to continue my education here,” said Valenzuela, the recipient of the Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson Scholarship. “And I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do so.”
Since starting law school in August 2024, Valenzuela has become involved in multiple student organizations, maintained her position at LSU Gordon A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy, and began a clerkship at Mayeaux & Associates.
“None of this would be possible without scholarships,” she said. “I look forward to using my legal education to make a difference in the lives of others here in Louisiana.”
See a photo gallery from the 2025 Scholarship Reception.
Learn more about how you can support LSU Law students through scholarships.
