G r e En
Hall News
UPDATES & ACHIEVEMENTS
IN DIVERSITY
MAGAZINE RECOGNIZES KU LAW FOR RATE OF DIVERSITY INCREASE
ALUMNUS SPEAKS AT DIVERSITY IN LAW BANQUET
National Jurist magazine has ranked the University of Kansas School of Law second among ABA approved law schools in rate of increase in student diversity. The list appeared in the magazine’s March issue.
The Hispanic American Law Students Association hosted the 12th annual Diversity in Law Banquet on March 3. This event brings together students, faculty and alumni from across the country to celebrate KU Law’s proud tradition of admitting and graduating students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
KU Law recorded a 201 percent increase in enrollment of minority students between the years 2000 and 2005. At law schools nationwide, minority enrollment has declined by 5 percent or greater at 57 percent of schools, while it has increased by 5 percent or more at 85 U.S. law schools.
Increasing and celebrating diversity and the ways in which diversity enhances the educational experience of all KU Law students has long been an institutional focus. In recent months, exciting and noteworthy achievements have demonstrated the success of these efforts.
Dean Gail Agrawal said this achievement is a reflection of the School’s long-standing commitment to an improvement in the institution’s diversity.
“From its Free State origins, KU Law was founded on principles of inclusiveness; a commitment to diversity is in the very bricks and mortar of this place,” she said. “Under the leadership of former dean Professor Steve McAllister, we began an active and comprehensive effort to increase the diversity of our student body. We continue to build on that foundation to improve the number and the percentage of students of color in our classes and the diversity of our faculty and staff. While much remains to be done before our reality fully matches our values and aspirations in this regard, we are proud of our accomplishments and grateful for the recognition of the National Jurist.”
12
Fall/Winter 2007
The banquet serves as an important fundraiser for the Minority Scholarship Fund and provides an opportunity for students and faculty to celebrate the contributions of culturally diverse individuals to the legal profession. Students from the Asian American Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, Hispanic American Law Students Association and Native American Law Students Association collaborate in supporting the banquet and take turns hosting the event.
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UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAW
Robert Correales, L’91, assistant professor of law at the University of Nevada Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law, presented the keynote address at the event. Michelle Delgado, 2007-08 HALSA President and second-year student, said Professor Correales focused on diversity in education in his address. “The theme of his address was supporting diversity in education while addressing some of the hurdles that minority students have faced or may face when pursuing higher education,” she said. “And he also thanked Professor (Ellen) Sward for supporting him throughout his time here at KU Law.”