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winter | federation flyer
www.thefederation.org
At the heart of the
FDCC’s mission lies
a commitment to
participation and
inclusion—not only
within the Federation
but also throughout
the legal profession. In 2015,
then-FDCC Foundation President
Lewis Collins spearheaded the
creation of the Barb Currie Diversity
Scholarship to support diverse
law students and aspiring legal
professionals. This initiative honors
Barb Currie, the late wife of an
FDCC member, who passed away
earlier that year while traveling
home from an FDCC event.
During her lifetime, Barb Currie
profoundly impacted the lives
of many disadvantaged young
people in Mississippi’s minority
communities through mentorship,
teaching, and guidance. She
embodied generosity, inspiring
others to achieve their potential.
In that same spirit, the scholarship
aims to empower its recipients to
become role models, advancing
diversity within society and the
legal profession. Today, her legacy
continues to bear fruit nationwide.
Scholarship Growth and Impact
The Barb Currie Diversity
Scholarship began with an annual
award of $5,000, presented to
law students selected by the
FDCC Foundation’s Scholarship
Committee. The selection criteria
emphasize not only academic
excellence but also a demonstrated
commitment to diversity and
service. In recent years, thanks
to generous donations, the
scholarship award doubled to
$10,000 per recipient.
Since its inception, the FDCC
Foundation has distributed $65,000
in scholarships to ten promising
law students. In 2024, buoyed by
your contributions and a significant
donation from FDCC President
Heidi Goebel in honor of outgoing
President Craig Marvinney, the
Foundation awarded two $10,000
scholarships.
2024 Scholarship Recipients
Jurry Bajwah
Duquesne University Law School,
3L Student
The first 2024 recipient, Jurry
Bajwah, is a 3L student at Duquesne
University Law School. His story
reflects the very essence of the
scholarship’s mission—serving
those less fortunate through
advocacy. As Jurry expressed in his
personal statement:
Edward J. Currie
FDCC Foundation’s Barb Currie
Diversity Scholarship:
Empowering the Next Generation
of Diverse Legal Professionals
By Edward J. Currie
Since its inception, the
FDCC Foundation has
distributed $65,000
in scholarships to
ten promising law
students.
section title FDCC Pillars