Galloway N.J.  – Six Stockton University students planning to attend law school were named recipients of the Alan F. Arcuri Pre-Law Fund Awards for 2020.

 The fund was started in 2019 by Arcuri’s family and friends.  A former Stockton professor, Arcuri was known for his tireless efforts in advising pre-law students. The fund started in his memory assists students by providing a stipend to cover the cost of a prep program for the LSAT exam and providing mentors for them as they apply to and attend law school.

 Award coordinator and Professor of Political Science Linda Wharton said she was thrilled that the fund, which awarded two grants last year, is able to help six students this year. She also thanked the mentors, many of whom are Stockton alumni, for their willingness to give back and assist the awardees.

 “Alan was always available to help promising students, and we are thrilled to be able to continue that tradition in his memory,” Wharton said. 

 This year’s recipients are:

Danielle Combs of Berlin, a rising senior and Political Science major, pre-law concentration.

A Dean's List student, Combs is secretary of Stockton’s Mock Trial Club, a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, president of Stockton's Chapter of the NAACP,  serves as correspondence officer for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pi Chi chapter and is a note taker for the Learning Access Program. She also works in the Dean of General Studies office and won Miss Gold 2019 for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated- Pi Xi Chapter's "Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant."  She is taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying for admission to law school starting in fall 2021.

Her mentor is Ellen Bailey, Esq.  Deputy General Counsel at Stockton.  Ellen earned her B.A. from Drew University and her J.D. from Rutgers Law (Camden).

Why do you want to become a lawyer, and what type of law do you plan to practice?
I aspire to become a lawyer to defend and represent underprivileged individuals. The current climate of our nation shows that we have a criminal justice system that treats privileged, but guilty individuals better than it treats underprivileged, but innocent individuals.  I plan to practice criminal law to make a change in this area of our unjust criminal justice system. As a lawyer, I will protect the people that are abused by the law and protect the public from those that abuse it. I will be the strong voice and representative for individuals who feel as though their voice doesn't have any power.  

What does getting this award mean to you?
Before receiving this award, I was unable to afford the expensive costs of an LSAT course. This award has lifted my financial burden, allowing me to take a course that will put me on the path to achieving an excellent LSAT score, ultimately leading me to admission at my dream law school. This award has put me one step closer to achieving my future goals and for that I am forever grateful. 

Vanessa Calixto of Landisville graduated in May 2020 with degree in Political Science and a pre-law/Philosophy minor.

In addition to having very strong academic record, Calixto was one of the founding members of the National Society of Leadership and Success chapter at Stockton and served on the Executive Board.  She is taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying for admission to law school starting in Fall 2021.
Her mentor is Ashley Rojas ’17, graduated from Stockton as a POLS major with a concentration in pre-law.  She graduated from Rutgers Law School-Newark in May and is joining the law Offices of Sylvia S. Costantino, Esq., LLC  in Red Bank and East Brunswick. 

Why do you want to become a lawyer, and what type of law do you plan to practice?
My ultimate goal after obtaining my law degree is to become an immigration attorney and also get involved with the public interest sector and nonprofit organizations. Having a law degree will give me the opportunity to advocate on behalf of disadvantaged, minority, and immigrant communities. I am passionate about helping these communities because unfortunately, they do not always have access to the legal representation they need and as a result, they do not receive the protection they are entitled to, under the Constitution. These communities are oppressed and easily taken advantage of, forcing them to deal with the negative consequences that our justice system imposes on them. For two years I have been working as a paralegal in an immigration law firm in Ventnor and recently in March, I was offered another opportunity to also work as a paralegal in a bigger law firm in Philadelphia. I am currently working these two jobs and getting a lot of experience that is helping me prepare for my future career. 

What does getting this award mean to you?
Receiving a stipend to take an LSAT prep course and being paired with a mentor is making my law school application process easier to handle and a lot less intimidating. I feel at ease knowing that I have such amazing people supporting me and always willing to help me out in every way possible. This award will impact more than just my law school application process, it will have a lasting impact on my future. I will continue to work diligently until I fulfill my dream and can one day lend a helping hand to future students like myself. 

Danielle Baron of Upper Saddle River, an Environmental Studies major, is finishing her coursework at Stockton this summer. 

Baron is also taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying to law school for Fall 2021.

Her mentor is Debra Franzese, Esq. ’05, who earned a Political Science degree at Stockton and her J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law.  She is currently a partner in the investment management group of the national law firm of Seward & Kissel in Manhattan. 

Why do you want to become a lawyer, and what type of law do you plan to practice?

I want to become a lawyer because I want to help people, be a part of improving our country, be excited about my job, and have a diversity of career opportunities. I‘m not sure yet which type(s) of law I would like to practice because so many of them appeal to me, but I am currently most passionate about environmental, family, immigration, and Constitutional law. 

What does getting this award mean to you?

This award was one of the highlights of my senior year and has inspired me to work as hard as I can toward my goals. With this award, I was able to purchase a comprehensive LSAT online course and have been seeing consistent improvement.  

Mariam Eskandar of Egg Harbor Township is a rising senior and Political Science major with a minor in Economics and Global Studies.

Eskandar has served as a TA/Peer Mentor for Quantitative Reasoning (FRST 1103), a student fellow with the Center for Community Engagement and a leader of Model UN.  She is taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying for admission to law school starting in fall 2021.
Her mentor is Sara Toscano, Esq. ’15, who earned a Political Science degree from Stockton and graduated from American University’s Washington College of Law in 2019 where she graduated summa cum laude and serving as a staff editor of the American University Law Review.   She is currently an associate with the corporate and business litigation group at Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell, in Wilmington, Del.

Why do you want to become a lawyer, and what type of law do you plan to practice?
I want to become a lawyer to have an active role in the promotion and protection of rights. Law is an area where I feel that I can have a positive contribution on society and that is definitely something that I look for in a potential career. I like to be challenged and constantly learn. These are also aspects that drew me to pursue a career in law. 

What does getting this award mean to you?
I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to take an LSAT prep course, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Arcuri, and be mentored by Sara Toscano. Both are incredible opportunities to maximize my potential for becoming a successful law student. I look forward to building a deeper connection with Ms. Toscano, I am sure I can learn a lot from her experience. 

Garrett Bolton of Hamilton is a rising senior at Stockton majoring in Political Science 

Bolton is taking an LSAT prep course this summer with the goal of applying to law school starting in fall 2021.

His mentor is Sean Havern’ 14, who majored in Economics at Stockton and graduated from Rutgers Law (Camden) in 2017.  He is currently a Deputy Attorney General for the N.J. Attorney General’s office in Trenton where he specializes in employment and labor law.  

Why do you want to become a lawyer, and what type of law do you plan to practice?
I have had a fascination with the law for many years. Law related courses are ones that I have excelled at since high school and I look forward to pursuing a career in law because it is something I am passionate about. I have an interest in intellectual property law but right now it's all very up in the air. 

What does getting this award mean to you?
This award means a better future for myself. My life culminates from the things that happen from now and onward. Being able to take an LSAT prep course will allow me to perform better on the LSAT which transitions to getting into a reputable law school and that school will launch me into my professional career. 

Ashley Finney-Wortman of Plainfield is a rising senior at Stockton majoring in Political Science with a pre-law concentration 

Finney-Wortman has also served as Ivy Leaf Reporter for her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  She plans to take an LSAT prep course this summer or fall with the goal of applying to law school for fall 2021.

Her mentor is Jessica-Bemah Bonsu, a graduate of Stockton with a Political Science major and currently a rising 2L student at Suffolk University Law School in Boston where she is secretary of both the Black Law Student Association and the Women of Color Law Student Association.

 Why do you want to become a lawyer, and what type of law do you plan to practice?
I want to become a lawyer because I feel as though this is a great pathway for me because I want to be a leader and I want to help, I feel as though people look at law as something unreachable and too hard and I want to be a lawyer because I want to show others that it’s not out of their limit and to give representation to those who don’t feel like they belong. I’m most likely leaning towards practicing business law. 

What does getting this award mean to you?
Getting this award makes me feel like I am seen. In college, it’s normal for some to get left behind or forgotten since there are so many people and this makes me feel like not only am I not being forgotten but also that people have faith in me and that only pushes to go farther and work harder. 

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Contact:
Diane D’Amico
Director of News and Media Relations
Galloway, N.J. 08205
Diane.D’Amico@stockton.edu
609-652-4593
609-412-8069
stockton.edu/media