Loveland scholarship part of legacy
Laurie Loveland had big plans for her life when she graduated from NDSU in 1980.
Some thought she’d attend law school at UND, but she had bigger ideas — Yale. She applied, was accepted and completed her law degree there.
Throughout her life, Loveland experienced and accomplished much more than most North Dakota women dream of doing in a lifetime.
According to Ann Burnett, director of the women’s studies program, Loveland started her career at a Chicago law firm and later became a law clerk for a judge on the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. She continued to work as a Fellow on the U.S. Supreme Court, meaning that she was able to work there, while continuing to study the practices of the Supreme Court. Later, she returned to North Dakota where she was the solicitor general, which is the person who assists the attorney general.
One of the biggest accomplishments during her career was playing an instrumental role in drafting and negotiating the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between the nation’s tobacco companies.
Loveland was not only a brilliant professional, but she also did what she could to help other people. In doing so, she was an advocate for women’s rights, a friend to children and influenced everyone in her life to make the world a better place.
Tragically, Loveland’s life was cut short when she lost her battle with pancreatic cancer in 2002 — she was 43. As a way to keep her legacy alive, Loveland’s family, friends and some colleagues from a law firm she worked at in Washington, D.C., decided to start an endowment in her name to form a scholarship for women attending NDSU.
The money contributed will be used in two ways. First, the money will help NDSU host a lecture series featuring successful women in politics, and second, the money will be used for a scholarship.
The scholarship is worth $5,000 and is available to women who had junior status before Feb. 15. The applicants must have graduated from a North Dakota high school and be pursuing a career in public service, as well as demonstrate strong leadership skills.
For more information on the Laurie Loveland Scholarship or to pick up an application, contact Ann Burnett by e-mail at Ann.Burnett@ndsu.edu or stop by her office in 200 Minard Hall. All applications must be received by Feb. 15.