94-05-24 New U.Va. Law Graduate Honors Parents by Establishing Scholarship for Other African-American Law Students

NEW U.VA. LAW GRADUATE HONORS PARENTS BY ESTABLISHING SCHOLARSHIP
FOR OTHER AFRICAN-AMERICAN LAW STUDENTS

     CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 24 -- Like most graduating law
students, Tracey D. Lenhardt of the University of Virginia's Class
of 1994 is looking forward to her career.
     In Lenhardt's case, that includes a proud pledge to contribute
a portion of her salary every year for a scholarship she has
established for African-American law students who embody the ideals
of Lenhardt's parents, who both came from impoverished backgrounds. 
Those ideals include a firm belief in the value of education and
community service.
     "I am poignantly aware of the many benefits I have received
during my law school education," said Lenhardt, who will be joining
the Richmond firm of Hunton & Williams after graduation.  She plans
to contribute an initial $1,000 or more this summer to help with
tuition and book costs for a student entering U.Va. law school in
the fall.
     Lenhardt, who has been active in the law school's moot court
competition and as a research assistant and student peer-adviser,
while working outside school to help pay for her education, said
she hopes eventually to provide a fully endowed academic
scholarship that could support more than one person.  Her goal is
to broaden the criteria so that over time it could include any
person in need, regardless of race.
     "I want someone else to have the same sort of support that
I've always had," she said.  "The scholarship is the legacy of my
parents' hard work, love and constant support."
     The scholarship, officially designated for an African-American
law student at U.Va. "with a strong work ethic, dedication to the
achievement of academic excellence and meaningful community
service, and a commitment to the impeccable practice of law," has
been established by the law school in honor of Lenhardt's parents,
Army Gen. Alfonso E. Lenhardt and Jacqueline O. Lenhardt of FT.
MCPHERSON, GA.
     "To the best of our knowledge, Tracey Lenhardt's gift is
unique as the first scholarship to be established at the University
by a graduating law student," said Robert E. Scott, dean of the law
school.  "We are grateful for her generosity and thankful for the
financial support she will provide to future generations of law
students.  But even more importantly, her gift is a testament to
the character of the students who comprise the law school
community."
     Without the support and guidance of her parents, she wouldn't
be graduating from law school, says Lenhardt, who was deeply
involved in community service both in law school and as an
undergraduate at U.Va., where she received an Outstanding African-
American Student Award.  Both her parents grew up in extremely
poor, single-parent homes in New York City, and "they always
stressed the importance of education," she said.
     One of her sisters, Robin, currently attends Harvard Law
School and the Kennedy School of Government, and the other,
Kimberly, attends the Medical College of Virginia.  In June her
mother will complete a B.A. degree she herself has been pursuing
through a U.S. Army university program.
     For information about contributing to the scholarship fund
contact the law school treasurer's office at (804) 924-3466.
                               ###
                                                     May 23, 1994
     For interviews or additional information, Tracey Lenhardt may
be reached at (804) 756-0565.

Karen A. Castle
University News Office
kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu
(804) 924-7116


[Submitted by: Karen A. Castle  (kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
               Tue, 24 May 94 10:03:55 EDT]