College of Law receives second challenge grant; surpasses 2000-2001 fundraising goal
June 1, 2001
A Georgia State University College of Law graduate, who was responsible for helping stimulate law alumni giving to a record level last year, recently pledged another challenge grant for the school's 2001-2002 annual fund drive.
Cathy Henson, whose anonymous pledge to match (up to $50,000) every alumni contribution last year, helped motivate College of Law alumni to contribute more than $75,000 in gifts during the 2000-2001 fund drive -double that of any previous year. Henson's $50,000 challenge grant this year will match all dollars received above the $50,000 level. The College of Law's goal for the fund drive is to raise $100,000.
The alumni fund drive benefits the College of Law's alumni scholarship endowment fund, the growth of which is a top priority for the school. "The state does not provide funding for graduate school scholarships, making it essential to build endowment to support deserving students who want to attend our dynamic, urban-oriented school," said Alleen Deutsch, development director for the College of Law.
College of Law Dean Janice Griffith suggested making a challenge grant to Henson last year when the 1989 graduate asked what she could do to help her alma mater. Griffith said that the college's annual fund had never reached $40,000, so raising the bar to $50,000 presented a "very steep mountain to climb." She said she knew that Henson's challenge would energize graduates and pressure the college to meet the goal.
Georgia Trend magazine named Cathy Henson one of the "100 Most Powerful and Influential Georgians" in 1999, 2000 and 2001. She is the vice chair of the State Board of Education; founder and president of the Georgia School Council Institute, a nonprofit organization created to assist and support the implementation of local school councils; and is a member of the school law section of the State Bar of Georgia.