UT College of Law Scholarships

The College of Law has a number of scholarships that are awarded to admitted candidates during the admissions process. Scholarships may be based on a number of factors: academic credentials (LSAT score and UGPA), records of leadership and community service, or other factors as established by the scholarship donor. Several scholarships may be awarded for which financial need, as established by the University after the FAFSA process is compolete, is a primary criteria. Candidates for admission should complete the FAFSA process as soon as possible after the first of the year in order to be considered for scholarships in which financial need is a factor.

Candidates for admission will automatically be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible, with the exception of the Kolwyck Scholarship. These scholarships ore outlined in detail below. Please note that your application file should be complete by January 15 in order to be considered for this scholarship.

The following scholarships are available to College of Law students; not all listed scholarships are allocated to first-year students.

The Clarence and Augusta Kolwyck Memorial Academic Achievement Scholarship is awarded by the Faculty of the College of Law to a student who shows bright professional promise, as demonstrated primarily through prior academic achievement. This scholarship is awarded annually to members of the three law school classes. The admissions criteria will be used to evaluate candidates for awards to first-year students. Academic performance in law school will be an additional criteria considered in second- and third-year scholarship awards. Any student who receives this award in the first year will be eligible to receive the award in the second and third year upon maintenance of a designated law school grade point average. Candidates whose admissions files are complete by January 15 will be given priority consideration. The value of this scholarship is evaluated annually.

The Arthur H. Stolnitz Scholarship was established with a bequest from this 1952 College of Law graduate. Mr. Stolnitz had a very successful 45-year career in the entertainment industry. At the time of his retirement in 1996, he had reached the position of executive vice president for business affairs at Warner Bros. TV. His fond memories of his years at UT and the College of Law led him to encourage out-of-state students to come to Knoxville. Prior to his death in 2007, he kept in contact with recipients of his scholarship. He often accompanied admissions representatives to out-of-state recruiting events. Mr. Stolnitz was generous with financial support and energetic in leadership. The College of Law is honored to continue awarding his scholarship to out-of-state students in his memory.

The John W. Green Scholarships were established by the will of the late John W. Green and are awarded in recognition of unusual ability in the general development of character, ambition to excel, and interest in the general development and advancement of the ethical standards of the legal profession. Mr. Green was a distinguished Knoxville attorney. These one-year scholarships are awarded annually to members of the three law classes who possess to a marked degree those qualities described above, as well as a strong academic background. The value of this scholarship is evaluated annually.

The James Thurman Ailor Memorial Scholarship has been established by the Ailor family in honor of the late James Thurman Ailor, a 1940 College of Law graduate and Knoxville attorney who was killed during World War II while serving with the 77th Infantry in the Pacific Theater.

The Judge Thurman Ailor Emergency Assistance Fund has been established by Earl S. Ailor in honor of his father, a 1913 graduate of the College of Law and a former judge of the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Eastern Section. This fund provides emergency assistance to law students who have substantial financial need.

The Howard H. Baker Sr. Memorial Scholarship has been established by friends, relatives, and the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell in memory of Howard H. Baker Sr., Congressman from the Second Tennessee District for many years and a 1924 UT law graduate. Awards are made annually to a law student or an entering student.

A portion of the income from the Frederick T. Bonham Foundation has been designated for the recruitment of minority students. Mr. Bonham, a native Knoxvillian, was a 1909 graduate of UT.

The Bass, Berry & Sims Student Scholarship was established by the law firm of Bass, Berry & Sims. The scholarship is awarded annually, primarily on merit, defined as an academic ranking in the top ten percent. In addition to merit, financial need may also be considered.

The Harry W. Brooks Scholarship was established in memory of Harry W. Brooks. The scholarship is awarded annually to currently enrolled or admitted students. The recipient shall have demonstrated successful academic performance.

The James Henry Burke Scholarship was established by the will of Marianne Burke in honor of her husband. The scholarship is awarded annually to second- or third-year students in the college.

The Robert L. Cheek Sr. Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Knoxville attorney and 1951 UT law graduate Robert L. Cheek Sr. by his sister, Henrietta Cheek Halliday of Atlanta, Georgia. The scholarship is awarded to students from East Tennessee on the basis of academic performance.

The George S. Child Sr. and Helen M. Child Memorial Law Scholarship has been established by Mr. and Mrs. Child and their sons, Judge George S. Child Jr., Colonel John L. Child, and Robert M. Child. Mr. Child and his three sons all graduated from the UT College of Law. The scholarship is awarded to a student who is a Tennessee resident, has demonstrated a commitment to the practice of law upon graduation, and has financial need.

The George S. Child Jr. and Helen P. Child Scholarship was established to provide financial aid to a Tennessee resident who has demonstrated a commitment to practice law upon graduation and has demonstrated financial need.

The Class of 1990 Scholarship was established with gifts from students in the College of Law’s 1990 graduating class. Once endowed, the scholarship will be awarded to third-year students on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need.

The Class of 1991 Dana Collier Memorial Scholarship was established with gifts from students in the College of Law’s 1991 class and friends of Dana Collier in memory of Dana Ann Collier, a 1991 UT law graduate. The student awarded this scholarship will be an entering first-year law student from the Appalachian region who has demonstrated successful academic performance and shows financial need.

The Class of 1993 Scholarship was established with gifts from students in the College of Law’s 1993 graduating class. This need-based scholarship is awarded annually to a second- or third-year law student.

The Class of 1995 Scholarship was established to assist entering first-year students who demonstrate financial need. The scholarship will be awarded as soon as it becomes endowed.

The Class of 1996 Scholarship was established with gifts from students in the College of Law’s 1996 graduating class. Once endowed, this scholarship will be awarded to a student from Tennessee who has demonstrated successful academic performance.

The Class of 1997 Scholarship was established with gifts from students in the College of Law’s 1997 graduating class. Once endowed, this need-based scholarship will be awarded annually to a law student who has children.

The Class of 1999 Scholarship was established with gifts from students in the College of Law's 1999 graduating class. Once endowed, this scholarship will be awarded to an entering student.

The Class of 2002 September 11th Memorial Scholarship was established with gifts from students in the College of Law's 2002 graduating class. Once endowed, this scholarship will be awarded to a student that was a firefighter, police officer or served in the military in observance of the September 11, 2001 tragedy.

The J. Howard Collett Scholarship was established by Steve and Debbie Collett in honor of Steve’s father, John Howard Collett Sr., a 1948 graduate of the College of Law. When fully funded, the scholarship endowment will provide need- and merit-based awards for qualified law students.

The Judge Carl E. Colloms Scholarship was established by Judge Carl E. Colloms, a 1966 UT Law graduate from Bradley County. The scholarship is awarded to a student with financial need from Bradley, Polk, Monroe or McMinn Counties in Tennessee, or should none be available, a student from southeast Tennessee.

The Sheldon Diesenhouse Memorial Scholarship was established by the family of Sheldon Diesenhouse. Mr. Diesenhouse was a 1969 graduate of the College of Law. When endowed, the scholarship will be awarded with preference to a student who is married and has demonstrated an interest in a public service career.

The Federal Courts Bench and Bar Scholarship was established to assist economically disadvantaged law students from the Middle District of Tennessee. Each recipient must have demonstrated financial need in accordance with the usual standards of the law school, be in good academic standing and be a resident of one of the counties in the Middle District of Tennessee.

The Robert A. Finley Memorial Scholarship was established by family, friends, and the law firm of Kennerly, Montgomery & Finley to memorialize and honor this 1963 UT law graduate. The recipient must be a resident of Tennessee and show academic performance, financial need, and leadership.

The Judge & Mrs. Richard R. Ford and Sue Ford Harris Scholarship was established by Judge and Mrs. Richard R. Ford in honor of their only child, Sue Ford Harris. They have created a perpetual gift to enable Tennessee students with financial need and/or special hardships to continue their education.

The E. Bruce and Mary Evelyn Foster Scholarship in Law was established to honor Mr. Foster on the occasion of his 50th year of practice. The scholarship is awarded to second- or third-year law students. Mr. Foster was a 1933 graduate of the College of Law.

The Thomas C. Galligan, Sr. Scholarship was established in memory of Thomas C. Galligan, Sr. This scholarship is awarded to a student with demonstrated successful academic performance.

The Claire Garland Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Claire Garland, a 1978 graduate of the College of Law. The scholarship is awarded to a student with demonstrated financial need and a successful academic background.

The John Joseph Graham Scholarship is awarded annually to a second- or third-year law student who has demonstrated excellent academic performance. The scholarship was established in 1993 by John Joseph Graham, a 1970 UT law graduate from Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The Andrew Jackson Graves Memorial Scholarship has been established by Mrs. A.J. Graves in memory of her husband, a 1910 alumnus of the College of Law, member of the Knoxville Bar, and a long-time Senator in the General Assembly of Tennessee. The scholarship is awarded to a law student or an entering student.

The Col. R. McDonald Gray Scholarship was established in 1995 by Mrs. Dorothy Gray in honor of her husband, a past College of Law professor. It is awarded to students who have graduated from a Tennessee public high school and who have demonstrated successful academic performance.

The Col. R. McDonald and Dorothy Gray Scholarship is awarded to in-state Tennessee residents.

The Marion S. Griffin Scholarship was established in 2001 by the Lawyers' Association for Women -- Marion S. Griffin Chapter, Nashville, Tennessee, to commemorate Tennessee's pioneering women lawyers and is named for Marion S. Griffin, who was the first woman allowed to take the written bar exam in Tennessee.  The scholarship is available to students with financial need who have shown commitment to the practice of law and who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to the promotion and advancement of women's rights. Recipients must have demonstrated a high level of achievement, as evidence by academic standing.

The George D. Hall Memorial Scholarship is awarded based on financial need. The scholarship was established by Lillian L. Hall in honor of her husband, a 1952 graduate of the College of Law.

The William W. Hawkins Scholarship was established by the law firm of Hawkins, Moody, Bingham, Miller & Associates and friends to memorialize and honor this 1955 UT Law graduate. Once endowed, the scholarship will be awarded to a law student with preference given to a student who is from East Tennessee and was involved in Law Enforcement which would include any city or county police officer or Tennessee Highway Patrol officer; second preferences given to students who were involved in Law enforcement for the State of Tennessee, or involved in Rescue or Emergency services from East Tennessee, the State of Tennessee; or was a involved in Law Enforcement or rescue and emergency services.

The H.L. Hendricks Memorial Scholarship in Law was established by the colleagues, family, and friends of H.L. Hendricks, a former senior assistant general counsel of the Aluminum Company of America. The scholarship is awarded to a law student who shows promise of being a worthy member of the legal profession, but whose financial situation otherwise might make it impossible to attend law school.

The Hodges, Doughty & Carson Scholarship was established on the occasion of the retirement of Robert R. Campbell as a member of the firm. By endowing this scholarship the members of Hodges, Doughty & Carson wish to honor all retired members of the firm and to recognize their accomplishments and outstanding service to the firm and the legal profession. The award is based upon a combination of potential and financial need. By making "potential" a criterion for selection, the members of Hodges, Doughty & Carson wish to recognize not simply pure academic acheivent, but rather that broader set of characteristics that well suit a person for the practice of law: namely, industry, intellect, honor, and a commitment to serving the profession and the larger community.

The Julia Gillock Hoppe Scholarship was established by 1985 UT Law graduate, Julia Gillock Hoppe, by means of a charitable remainder trust. Upon the death of the survivor of Julia Hoppe, the scholarship will be awarded to UT law students who are Tennessean by birth and residence.

The Judge Joseph N. Hunter Memorial Scholarship has been established by Mrs. Joseph N. Hunter in memory of her husband, Judge Joseph N. Hunter of Chattanooga. This three-year award is granted to a deserving entering student who attended The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for undergraduate work or is a resident of Hamilton County.

The Hunton & Williams Law Scholarship is made possible by annual gifts from the Knoxville office of Hunton & Williams. The scholarship is awarded to third-year students on the basis of financial need and merit.

The Arthur B. Hyman Scholarship, established by UT law alumnus Arthur B. Hyman of the New York City Bar, is awarded annually to a law student or an entering student. The award is made on the basis of merit and financial need.

The James H. Jarvis II Life and Law Scholarship is awarded to a rising second-year or third-year student with preference given to eligible recipients that are well-rounded individuals who enthusiastically balance their academic responsibilites with hobbies and community involvement. Humility, humor, and perseverance in an applicant are highly prized as well. Preference is given to applicants with a sincere interest in the American outdoors, and an apolitical interest in preserving and protecting our national landscape and/or aspire to improve the judicial system in some meaningful way, or to preserve a quality therein they see as foundering.

The Elsie Naomi Jones Scholarship was endowed in 1990 by Gladys Stamm Boester of Arlington, Va., in memory of Elsie Naomi Jones. It is awarded on the basis of superior academic performance.

The Katz Family Scholarship was established by 1969 UT Law graduate Joel A. Katz to assist law students from the bottom quarter of the class with financial need and who, because of lack of money and family obligations, are struggling to fulfill their academic potential.

The Kingsport Bar Association Scholarship was established by the Kingsport Bar Association for the benefit of students from Sullivan, Washington, Johnson, Carter, or Hawkins Counties in upper East Tennessee. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic success.

The James C. Kirby Jr. and Barbara Eggleston Kirby Scholarship was established in 1989 by Professor James C. Kirby Jr. and his wife, Barbara Eggleston Kirby, on the occasion of Professor Kirby’s retirement from the faculty of the College of Law. Recipients must be first-year students who attended public high school in either Macon, Davidson, or Williamson Counties, and they must have demonstrated superior academic performance at the undergraduate level. Financial need may also be taken into consideration.

The Knoxville Auxiliary to the Tennessee Bar Association has established an endowed scholarship fund for the College of Law. Scholarships are awarded to first-year students based upon academic merit and financial need.

The Kramer Rayson LLP Scholarship will be awarded to students who are currently enrolled or have been admitted to the College of Law. Recipients of this scholarship will be residents of Tennessee.

The Kramer Rayson LLP African American Scholarship will be awarded to African American students who are currently enrolled or have been admitted to the College of Law. Awards will be based on financial need and will be made to those students who demonstrate persistence in the face of adversity whether socially or econimcally.

The Forrest W. Lacey Scholarship was established in honor of Forrest W. Lacey, a former professor of the College of Law. This scholarship will be awarded to admitted students who demonstrate successful academic performance as an undergraduate and/or graduate student. High achievement on the Law School Admissions Test may also be considered.

The Thomas E. and Deborah F. Lauria Scholarship will be awarded to students who are currently enrolled or have been admitted to the College of Law with preference being given to out-of-state students.

Law College Scholarships are awarded from currently-available funds to students on the basis of financial need and academic performance. The endowment supporting these scholarships includes gifts given in memory of respected alumni and faculty such as James P. Reeder, Class of 1922, Robert L. Forrester, Class of 1957, and Professor Martin Feerick.

The Walter L. Lusk Scholarship was established by Donald Lusk to honor the memory of his father, a 1955 graduate of the College of Law. Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. Preference in the selection process will be given to students who are from Hamilton County, Tennessee.

The Nashville law firm of Manier & Herod awards two scholarships annually — one to a first-year student and one to a second-year student. Recipients of the Manier & Herod Scholarships are selected on the basis of academic performance and financial need. Recipients must be Tennessee residents, and preference will be given to those who intend to practice law in Tennessee.

The Marquis Family Scholarship is awarded to students that are currently enrolled in the second or third year of law school. This award is based on academic performance with the recipient being in the top half of their class.

The Judge L. Kirby Matherne Scholarship was established in honor of Judge Louis Kirby Matherne’s life of service to the legal profession. Judge Matherne received the LL.B. degree from the College of Law in 1948. This scholarship is available to students with primary consideration being based on financial need.

The Matthews-Jeter Scholarship was named in honor of 1959 alumnus J. Payson Matthews of Somerville, Tenn., and his aunt, Mary S. Jeter of Jackson, Mississippi. Recipients must be first-year students from selected West Tennessee counties who were in the upper 10 percent of their undergraduate class and who scored in the top 25 percentile of his or her entering class on the LSAT.

The Robert L. McKnight Memorial Scholarship in Labor Law has been established by the partners in the firm of McKnight, Hudson, Lewis & Henderson of Memphis in memory of their late partner, Robert L. McKnight. The scholarship is awarded annually to a third-year law student who has an interest in and promise of distinction in the practice of labor law.

The James R. Omer Scholarship was established in 1990 by Nashville trial attorney and 1963 alumnus James R. Omer. Awards are made to students from the Nashville area on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Awards are made to students who have just received an undergraduate degree, rather than to those students who already have a master’s or doctoral degree.

The W. Hugh Overcash Tax Law Scholarship was established to attract deserving, industrious students who communicate and interact well in the field of taxation. This scholarship will be awarded to a student interested in pursuing a career in tax law.

The Jim D. Owen Scholarship was established by Knoxville attorney Jim D. Owen, a 1970 UT law graduate, to honor the memory of his parents, Reuben Paul and Mary Stella Owen. When fully funded, this endowment will provide need- and merit-based scholarships for law students who are Tennessee residents.

The Robert W. Ritchie Scholarship was established in memory of Robert W. Ritchie. Mr. Ritchie was involved in the defense of criminal cases for approximately forty years and credited his trial experience in the College of Law's legal clinic as very important in his development. This scholarship is awarded to a student who is interested in a career in criminal defense law.

The Claude K. Robertson Scholarship is awarded to a law student or entering student who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and is a resident of Tennessee. Mr. Robertson, a 1958 law graduate who died in 1993, left provisions for the scholarship in his will.

The Norman B. Sayne Scholarship was created by Mrs. R. Franklin Edwards in 1997 in memory of her nephew, Norman B. Sayne. It is available to students who have demonstrated successful academic performance and professional promise.

The John F. Schrankel Scholarship was established in honor of John F. Schrankel, a 1954 graduate of the College of Law. This scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate successful academic performance.

The Charles D. Snepp Scholarship was established by Mrs. Sara L. Snepp in honor of her husband, the late Charles D. Snepp. The recipient of this scholarship is a third-year law student who is in the upper 25 percent of his or her class, possesses the academic and personal ability to excel in the legal field, and has demonstrated financial need.

The Patricia Snyder LAMBDA Legal Society Scholarship was established by 1998 UT Law graduate, Patricia Snyder. Once endowed, this scholarship will be awarded to a law student who is a member of Lambda Student Organization with preference given to a student who has been out of school for a minimum of five consecutive years prior to acceptance of UT College of Law and has a legally dependent child or children living with her/him full-time.

The Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute Scholarship is awarded to promote the study of bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and commercial law.

The W.H.H. Southern Memorial Law Scholarship was established by the will of Donald B. Southern, a Knoxville attorney, in memory of his father, W.H.H. Southern. The scholarship is awarded to a currently enrolled student based on scholastic achievement and financial need.

The Richard T. Sowell Scholarship was established in memory of Richard T. Sowell, a 1973 UT law graduate, by partners in the firms of Woolf, McClane, Bright, Allen & Carpenter and Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need.

The Josiah W. T. and Saralee C. Stout Memorial Scholarship is available to students who are currently enrolled or have been admitted to the College of Law. Recipients shall have demonstrated successful academic performance.

The Howard G. Swafford Scholarship was established by William H. and Judge Claudia Swafford Haltom in honor of Claudia’s father. The recipient shall have demonstrated successful academic performance and shall have the intent of going to a rural community to establish a general practice of law.

The Judge George Caldwell Taylor Memorial Scholarship was established by the family in memory of Judge George Caldwell Taylor, Judge of the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Tennessee. Judge Taylor was a member of the UT Board of Trustees and alumnus of the College of Law. The scholarship will be awarded to law students or students entering the College who are Tennessee residents.

The Judge Robert L. and Florence M. Taylor Memorial Public Service Endowment Fund was created in 1996 by Ann Taylor in memory of her parents. Once fully funded, the endowment will be used to encourage and support College of Law students’ activities in public service. Uses of the fund could include, but are not limited to, scholarship, assistance to students who have demonstrated strong interest in pursuing legal careers in the public service sector, loan forgiveness for students who do commit to public service jobs upon graduation, and stipends for students engaged in summer public service jobs.

The Tennessee General Sessions Judges Auxiliary Scholarship was created by a donation from the Auxiliary in the fall of 1996. The scholarship is awarded to a deserving law student, approximately every three years, upon receipt of a gift from the Auxiliary.

The Tennessee Judicial Conference Scholarship was established by 1973 UT Law graduate, Judge R. Gary Wade. The scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year UT law student who has demonstrated community involvement and/or interest in public service. The scholarship is awarded every four years, rotating among the other law schools in the state.

The Daniel H. Testerman Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year law student who is interested in real estate law and shows financial need.

The Judge Shirley Underwood Scholarship is awarded to currently enrolled students or student who have been admitted to the College of Law. First preference is given to students who are Tennessee residents from the Tri-Cities area in upper East Tennessee.

The Frankie Ellis Wade Trial Lawyer Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to a current or former University of Tennessee women's varsity athlete who wishes to study law at UT.

The Charles A. and Myrtle Warner Memorial Scholarship was established by Dean and Mrs. Harold C. Warner in memory of Dean Warner’s parents. The award is made annually to law students or entering students.

The Harold C. Warner Centurion Endowment Scholarship was established by the Alumni of the College of Law in honor of the former Dean of the College. The income from this fund is used to provide scholarships for deserving students.

The Warren Wesley Kennerly Scholarship for Achievement in Legal Ethics Scholarship is awarded to a student entering their third year of law school. Selection is based on evidence of exemplary character, a strong commitment to professional ethics, and outstanding performance in the legal profession course.

The Warren Wesley & Lucile Donaldson Kennerly S hcolarship for Law Students Enriched by Personal Experience is to be given to an entering first year student who is returning to law school after a minimum of four years out of school. The recipient must have evidence of exemplary character, a strong work ethic, and an uncommon willingness to provide service for others.

The John and Patsy Waters Scholarship was established to enable the College of Law to recruit qualified, outstanding, and deserving students. Sevier County residents shall have preference in receiving this scholarship.

The Ward Whelchel Scholarship is available to first-year, second-year and third-year students at the College of Law. The recipients should be from the bottom quarter of the class with financial need, who because of lack of money and family obligations, is struggling to fulfill his or her academic potential.

The William H. Wicker Law Scholarship was established to honor this former College of Law Dean. The scholarship is awarded to a law student or entering student.

The Frank W. Wilson Memorial Scholarship is named for the distinguished jurist and 1941 UT law graduate. Judge Wilson served over 20 years on the federal bench of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The scholarship is awarded to a student based on academic merit and financial need.

The Chancellor Glenn W. Woodlee Scholarship was established by the will of the Honorable Glenn W. Woodlee, chancellor of the Twelfth Chancery Division of Tennessee and an active and loyal alumnus of the College of Law. Awards are made annually to a law student or an entering student.

The Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP Scholarship is offered every three years to a student attending the University of Tennessee College Law, with preference for a Kentucky or Tennessee resident. The recipient must place in the top 50% of his or her class based on grades to remain eligible for receipt of the gift in the second and third academic year.