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Dear Fellow Alumni:

It is with great pride that I write to you for the first time as National Chair of the Georgetown Law Annual Fund, a volunteer role that I assumed on July 1st.  Over the last several years, my engagement with the Law Center has grown, from funding an Opportunity Scholarship in honor of my class’s 25th Reunion, to taking on the role of Law Firm Challenge agent for my firm, Simpson Thacher. 

Through these experiences, I have learned more about the life of Georgetown Law today, and how it compares to the Law Center that I remember.  Certainly the campus is more impressive – and significantly more green – and the students are better than ever, boasting record-high GPAs and LSAT scores.

But one thing that has not changed is that law school remains a massive financial undertaking.  In fact, over 90% of Georgetown Law students demonstrate financial need, meaning that they require financial aid to complete their education, leaving the average graduate with over $115,000 in law school debt.  The issue of rising student debt has concerned Dean Aleinikoff for some time, but the current economic climate and challenging legal job market bring greater urgency to the need to make the cost of law school less daunting.

I was proud to find out that the Law Center is doing everything it can to help talented students pursue their dreams of a legal career.  This year after intense budget scrutiny, Dean Aleinikoff recommended and the University Board of Directors ratified the smallest tuition increase in thirty years, and the Dean has pledged that all gifts to the Law Annual Fund this year, unless otherwise designated by the donor, will be put towards financial aid. 

I cannot think of a better use of these funds than for them to directly lessen the burden on our deserving students, and I am happy to be assuming this role at a time when my work and my gifts will have such an impact.

You, too, can make a difference for Georgetown Law students this year with your own donation to the Law Annual Fund.  Please consider a generous gift this year in support of the students who need us now more than ever.

Sincerely,

Sarah E. Cogan (L'81)

National Chair, Law Annual Fund

Revised October 20, 2009 (HD)