IN BRIEF ALUMNA HONORS MOTHER WITH INAUGURAL GIFT TO LEGAL WRITING CENTER

G. Michelle Herrera D.D.S., J.D. ’17 donated $100,000 to STCL Houston to support the law school’s innovative Legal Writing Center. She made the generous gift in honor of her mother, a class of ’89 STCL Houston graduate, who encouraged her to attend law school.

Herrera — a dentist who describes herself as a woman of science — said she was not a strong writer when she began law school. She credits her legal writing professor, Tobin Sparling (retired), with helping her succeed. Her first gift to South Texas was made in his honor.

“This generous gift from Dr. Herrera is the first of its kind,” said Professor Maxine Goodman, associate dean of academic success and bar readiness and professor of law. “It will be used to fund the hiring of a second writing specialist who has the talent, experience, and expertise to provide an invaluable resource to our students.”

Goodman said Herrera’s gift will expand the capacity of the center, increasing legal writing assistance for all first-year students as well as upper-class students.

“Dr. Herrera has been a devoted friend to the law school since she was a student here,” Goodman said. “We hope her incredibly meaningful and generous gift will inspire others to donate to the Legal Writing Center so it can continue to grow and serve our students.”

Conversations with the Dean Hosted in Five Cities Across Texas

Alumni from Houston, Dallas, Tyler, Lufkin, and San Antonio joined President and Dean Michael F. Barry last spring and summer for gatherings about the future of South Texas College of Law Houston.

Dean Barry and his wife Lee hosted the reception in Houston. Special thanks to our hosts in other cities: Michael Hurst ’90 and Jen Falk ’06 in Dallas, Andy Bergfeld ’96 in Tyler, Hilary Haglund Walker ’06 in Lufkin, and Mike Milich ’97 in San Antonio.