Amy and Frank Garrison Social Justice Law Fund

" We can always do better, we can always work harder to eliminate injustice and inequality. It's one of the most important things we can do."  Frank Garrison 

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Amy Price Garrison (BA'79) and Frank M. Garrison Jr., '79 (BA'76) generously established the Amy and Frank Garrison Social Justice Law Fund to support Vanderbilt Law students providing services to or for the general benefit of individuals who may have been disenfranchised, dispossessed, discriminated against, or economically disadvantaged. The Fund also supports students interested in serving the broader public interest in positions such as interns in judicial chambers, U.S. Attorney's Offices, government agencies, or non-governmental organizations.

In addition to providing direct financial support to students committed to or exploring social justice and  public interest careers, the Garrison Fund enhances the Law School’s efforts to provide robust social justice and public interest experiences to students by solidifying the Law School's commitment to its Social Justice Program and public interest instruction, research and service. 

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Garrison Social Justice Scholars

Each year, the Law School will select at least one Garrison Social Justice Scholar from among current first-year J.D. students who apply for the scholarship. The Garrison Scholars shall: 

• receive a supplemental annual scholarship of at least $7,500¹ for each of the second and third years of law school
• agree to pursue an academic curriculum in preparation for a social justice or public interest career
• receive a summer fellowship stipend of at least $5,000² during rising second-year and rising third-year summers
• choose a public interest summer experience for both summers prior to graduation, with at least one summer focused on social justice³

 

During the spring semester of 2023, the Law School will select one member of the Class of 2025 from among those who apply. The Class of 2025 Garrison Social Justice Scholar award includes: 1) an annual scholarship of $20,980 ($10,490 per semester) that supplements scholarships already received up to full tuition, and 2) two summer fellowship stipends of $6,000, making the total award worth up to $53,960 over two academic years (4 semesters).

Current first-year J.D. students who wish to apply for the Garrison Social Justice Scholar award must complete and submit the application form and other printed materials via email to admissions@law.vanderbilt.edu by 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2023.  

 

Garrison Social Justice Scholar Application Materials  

 

• Abby Moscowitz, Garrison Social Justice Scholar, Class of 2017
• Alana Seixas, Garrison Social Justice Scholar, Class of 2018
• Wesley Dozier, Garrison Social Justice Scholar, Class of 2019
• Amber Banks, Garrison Social Justice Scholar, Class of 2020
• Annie Capetta and Eileen Bautista, Garrison Social Justice Scholars, Class of 2021

 

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Amy and Frank M. Garrison Public Interest Fellowships

Each year, no fewer than three⁴ students receive full⁵ fellowships to support a summer experience working in the public interest in unpaid positions at either a non-profit or governmental agency. Garrison Public Interest Fellows are selected by the Law School from among J.D. students applying for Vanderbilt Law Summer Stipends.   

 

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Related links:

• Social Justice Program 
• Public Interest Law at Vanderbilt

 

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Notes:

¹ The precise amount of the scholarship is determined each year. The Class of 2025 Garrison Social Justice Scholar award includes a: 1) an annual scholarship of $20,980 ($10,490 per semester) that supplements scholarships already received up to full tuition. Students currently receiving full-tuition scholarships are not eligible for Garrison Social Justice awards. Law School scholarship recipients pursuing dual degree programs receive Law School scholarship funds during the semesters in which they are enrolled in the Law School.

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