HU Students Dive into Life at Rutgers Law School

Painting the World Blue and White

Hampton University students, faculty and alumni are making a global impact this summer. Students and faculty have embarked on internships, study abroad and research opportunities all over the U.S. and the world. This blog series will feature Hamptonians on their travels this summer.  #HUworld

HU Students Dive into Life at Rutgers Law School

Curtis Harris (left) and Alex Garner (right)

HU rising juniors Alex Garner, from Portland, Orgeon, and Curtis Harris, from Long Beach, Cali., aren’t just day dreaming about their law school dreams post HU, they’re experiencing it!

This summer, Garner and Harris are part of the Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) program, which mission is to increase the diversity and quality of applicants applying to law school by immersing top achieving minority undergraduate students in the law school experience.

Garner, who is a business management major and Leadership Studies minor, and Harris, who is a history major and economics minor, is completing the summer program at Rutgers Law School which includes law school classes, a moot court competition, LSAT prep, field trips, dinners with guest speakers, and professionalism seminars.

“While law school will definitely be difficult, if I continue to develop the skills that have helped me to succeed in my undergraduate studies at HU and remember to approach law school with the necessary amount of grit and determination, I should be able to navigate law school successfully,” said Harris.

Garner and Harris with attorneys
Theodore Olson and David Boise

The two shared memorable conversations with attorneys Theodore Olson and David Boies, who many consider to be role models because of their success in various high-profile cases for large and sophisticated companies.

“Another salient experience was seeing two men get sentenced to 23 years to 12 years, respectively,” said Garner. “This impacted me personally and professionally. It helped me realize how important it is to always assess the long-term impact on a short term decision.”

HU students hold a specific confidence that goes further than just agenda-setting. Their HU pride transfers into their reasoning and it’s apparent when Garner said, “I will pursue a law degree,” instead of just planning to attend law school.

-Gianina Thompson