New leadership gifts to the Dedman School of Law will expand support for existing programs and create a new faculty position:
- A $2.5 million gift from the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation through Communities Foundation of Texas for the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Child Advocacy Clinic and Institute funds new programming as well as a clinic director, a tenure-track faculty position to lead the institute and support staff. The clinic serves children and families referred by the Dallas County Juvenile Court and trains law students interested in defending the rights of children. The gift extends the foundation’s support for up to 10 years, subject to a five-year review, and expands the partnership between the foundation and the clinic begun in 2001.
- A $1 million gift from Helmut Sohmen ’66 supports the successful Sohmen Scholarship Program for top law graduates in China to attend SMU’s international LL.M. program. Sohmen serves as co-chair of the Campaign Steering Committee for International Regions and as a member of the Campaign Steering Committee for Dedman School of Law. The new gift endows two additional scholarships, enabling SMU to host six Sohmen Scholars annually.
- A $1 million gift from Marilyn Hussman Augur ’89 endows the Chief Judge Richard S. Arnold Rule of Law Professorship. The chair honors Arnold, a U.S. Court of Appeals judge who served as a Distinguished Professor at Dedman School of Law in 2001.