Roosevelt Robinson Scholarship: Fostering Diversity in Oregon’s Legal Community

Lewis & Clark Law School recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Roosevelt Robinson Scholarship, honoring the enduring legacy of the Honorable Roosevelt Robinson ’76, and the profound impact his vision continues to have on law students. The scholarship, founded in his memory, supports students who face the kinds of challenges Judge Robinson himself overcame, with an overall goal to foster diversity and inclusion in the Oregon legal community.

During the anniversary event, Judge Adrienne Nelson reflected on the origins of the scholarship, inspired by Judge Robinson’s belief in the importance of creating opportunities for students who might otherwise doubt their place in law school, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend. She described the tradition of calling scholarship recipients during a notoriously difficult time for first-year law students: final exams.

This year’s recipient, Brian Aguilar, spoke about the impact of receiving that life-changing call, saying, “I was on the verge of dropping out. It seemed like every sign was telling me, ‘you don’t belong here.’ When I got that call, it felt like a sign that I was headed in the right direction.”

Brian Aguilar ’25, this year's recipient of the Roosevelt Robinson Scholarship.

Aguilar’s words reflect the scholarship’s deeper mission: to encourage people who are outside the majority to pursue careers in the law. “True belonging is the product of a culture that not only invites you to be your authentic self but celebrates it,” Aguilar shared. “This is why diversity in the law, leaders like Judge Robinson, and scholarships like this one are so important. We all deserve to belong exactly as we are.”

Judge Nelson emphasized this sentiment, highlighting that having one Roosevelt Robinson scholar in each class creates a ripple effect—fostering a sense of community and connection that mitigates the isolation many law students face. “If we had one Roosevelt Robinson student in each class, more people would not have to endure some of those challenges in isolation,” she said.

Dozens of students have received the scholarship and note it as one of the positive factors that influenced their legal careers. See where they are now in this powerpoint presentation.

The impact of the Roosevelt Robinson Scholarship has been amplified this year by the generosity of Chuck and Nancy Tauman (Classes of 1977 and 1978, respectively), whose matching gift doubled the contributions made to the fund. Their generosity ensures that more future students will benefit from the scholarship.

As a community leader, former prosecutor, respected judge, and beloved friend, Judge Roosevelt Robinson inspired countless individuals with his dedication to public service and legal professionalism. His legacy continues through this scholarship, helping students thrive in law school and paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive Oregon legal community. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please donate here.