Melbourne Law School has had the privilege of its rich history and teaching and learning environment being shaped by leading figures in the law.
Few have played such an influential role as Laureate Professor Emeritus Cheryl Saunders AO (BA 1966 Arts, LLB (Hons) 1966, PhD Law 1976), whose contribution was acknowledged with the launch of the Cheryl Saunders Scholarship fund last month.
The Cheryl Saunders Scholarship fund will be used to support students enrolled at Melbourne Law School who have demonstrated both academic merit and financial need.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Saunders said such initiatives help to ensure talented people benefit from a legal education at MLS.
“My hope is that these scholarships will enable an increasingly diverse range of talented people with an interest in law to experience the high quality of legal education that Melbourne Law School offers.”
Dean Professor Carolyn Evans said Professor Saunders has long been an inspiration to MLS students.
“Cheryl is deeply knowledgeable about both the Australian constitution and the constitutional systems of a wide range of countries.
“She has blazed a trail for other aspiring female academics and we are all in her debt for demonstrating the significant contribution that women can make to the academy and to public life,” she said.
Professor Michael Crommelin AO said Professor Saunders’ achievements as a scholar, teacher and institution builder were prodigious.
“With imagination, enthusiasm, skill and flair, she makes a significant contribution to the intellectual energy of MLS.”
The launch of the Cheryl Saunders Scholarship comes at a time when MLS achieved the ambitious aim to endow the Harold Ford Scholarship fund in perpetuity. This achievement is all thanks to the generosity of donors.
Donor to the Harold Ford Scholarship The Hon David Habersberger QC (BA(Hons) 1969, LLB(Hons) 1971), says such initiatives help talented people who may not be able to study law otherwise.
“I think that if you are in a position to relieve some of the pressures facing young people today, then you should.”
The former MLS Judge In Residence says he feels fortunate to be able to do so.
“I’ve had a wonderful career and a lot of benefits from that and I think it behoves us to give back.”
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