The 2023 Ruth-Arlene W. Howe Black Student Leadership Initiative
'Ruth-Arlene W. Howe ‘74 with Rosaline Valcimond ‘05 with Scholarship Recipients(from L-R) : Haluwa Doherty, Ruth-Arlene W. Howe ‘74, Reginé Cooper, and Rosaline Valcimond ‘05
REGINÉ COOPER
Ré like many past award recipients, is a rockstar at the law school and beyond. While an undergraduate, Ré started a nonprofit organization called Project Finishline Inc. to provide peer mentoring and support to other Black students in college. She has served as a House Parent at a Group Home for young Black women to help them as they navigate aging out state system and pursuing their college education. As Co-President of BLSA, Ré helped to start a Women’s Empowerment Brunch and to organize two city-wide BLSA events with the other law schools.
HALUWA DOHERTY
Haluwa’s commitment to serving the Black community and especially Black youth carries shades of Prof. Howe’s legacy. Haluwa has held internships with the Department of Children and Families, Lawyers for Civil Rights, and the BC Family Justice Litigation Clinic. Haluwa has also completed coursework examining the limitation of Stand Your Ground Laws as it applies to Black women in the Judicial system, the juvenile justice system, and education system. This fall Haluwa will continue in her advocacy work as part of the Civil Litigation Clinic: Child Health and Education clinic.
Every year we are fortunate to have amazing and deserving students apply. We are proudly able to award two students per year. With your donations we can continue to grow the fund and award even more phenomenal students annually. Please consider contributing to the Ruth-Arlene W. Howe Black Student Leadership Initiative by visiting this website and selecting “The Ruth-Arlene W. Howe Black Student Leadership Initiative” from the drop down menu in the Area of Support section.
2023 Spring Conference and the Ruth-Arlene W. Howe Heritage Banquet
Later that evening, members of the Boston College Black Law Students Association and the Black Alumni Network came together to honor Professor Ruth-Arlene W. Howe ‘74.
Ron Gonzalez, JD’91
Ron greets the new students at the Welcome Back BBQ
Upon graduating from the Law School Ron clerked for the Massachusetts Superior Court before joining private practice in Connecticut at Day, Berry & Howard LLP followed by a stint at Litchfield Cavo LLP. In Connecticut, Ron was an active member of the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association and a founding member and director of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association. From there, Ron returned to the public sector as Enforcement Counsel at the Environmental Protection Agency where he concentrated his work on the Superfund Program.
Ron’s words of advice for recent graduates are:
- Pay yourself first: Get your exercise and sufficient sleep (as recommended).
- Seek out mentor(s) in your organization who will speak well of you when you aren’t in the room.
- Per the Golden Rule: Represent your clients in the manner you would want to be represented, and treat opposing counsel as you would like to be treated yourself.
- Call out and oppose corruption wherever you see it and whenever you can.
Congratulations Ron as you enter this new chapter!
CONGRATULATIONS ASSISTANT DEAN LISA BRATHWAITE!
After joining the Law School in 2020, Assistant Dean Brathwaite’s role has continued to expand, and she serves as a trusted resource for students, faculty, and staff. She also regularly interfaces with employers, alumni, our University colleagues, and many others both within and outside the Law School community. Countless students have noted how important Dean Brathwaite has been to creating a sense of belonging for all on campus, and to making their Law School experience more fulfilling.
Assistant Dean Lisa Brathwaite