FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart and the University of Arkansas School of Law will present the second-annual Wal-Mart Legal Diversity Scholarship at 4 p.m. Monday, April 10, in the University of Arkansas School of Law courtroom.

This scholarship recognition event comes less than two weeks after the School of Law was ranked as one of the “most diverse law schools in the country” by the U.S. News and World Report’s 2007 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools.

The Wal-Mart Legal Diversity Scholarship was established in 2004 by a collaboration between the late Dean Richard B. Atkinson and Thomas Mars, senior vice president and general counsel for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

According to Nancy Cozart, the director of development for the School of Law, the purpose of the scholarship is to promote diversity within the legal community by providing needed financial aid to deserving law students of diverse backgrounds. This year’s recipient is first-year law student Carlyle White of Jackson, Miss.

White will earn a total of $12,000 in Wal-Mart scholarships over three years at the School of Law or $4,000 per year.

 “Wal-Mart is proud of its commitment to diversity and the many diversity initiatives the company sponsors,” Mars said. “The Wal-Mart legal department is pleased to support the law school.”

Alberto Mora, vice-president and general counsel for the International Division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., will present the award. Mora is responsible for Wal-Mart’s legal affairs in Puerto Rico, China, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, the United Kingdom, German, South Korea and five Central American countries.

Other speakers at the event will include interim Dean Howard W. Brill, Alex Vasquez, associate general counsel of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and White.

Associate dean for students Jim Miller will also be recognized for his contribution to diversity within the School of Law. Miller won the Henry J. Ramsey Jr. Award for the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association last August.

The event is open to the public with a reception scheduled afterward. Members of the media are invited to attend.