FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – When Debbie Dudley Branson (J.D. 1980) was attending law school at the University of Arkansas, she was also working and raising her young daughter. Now, she has endowed a scholarship that will make similar experiences much easier for students in the future.

Branson’s gift of $100,000 established the Judge Robert H. Dudley Endowed Scholarship in honor of her father, a 1958 alumnus of the law school. The Dudley family has practiced law in Arkansas for more than a century.

“I made this gift in honor of my dad because I think he’s pretty special,” said Branson. “He took his role as a jurist very seriously. He worked diligently to follow the law and apply it fairly. That’s all any practicing attorney can ask for. I’m proud of the example he set.”

>The scholarship will provide financial assistance to law students who demonstrate financial need, a sense of civic purpose and who have circumstances that may prevent them from devoting their full time to the study of law.

“My dad and I both feel strongly about the value of having a sense of civic purpose,” said Branson. “I have been heavily involved in community, charitable and political activities. I was taught that this is important, and we both want to encourage students to be involved.”

“The University of Arkansas School of Law strives to attract and foster top students with a commitment to civic service,” said Cynthia Nance, dean of the school. “Many must balance school work with part-time and full-time jobs, as well as family responsibilities. Scholarships like the one created by Debbie make an overwhelming difference in what our students are able to accomplish and demonstrate to them the importance of giving back. I am grateful to Debbie for honoring her father and for supporting the law school in such a fitting way.”

Branson hopes her gift will make a difference for the future of the law school and its ability to retain top students.

“The decision to make this gift was an easy one,” she said. “I want the school to stay vibrant, and to do that, you need good students who can fund the law school experience. Hopefully this scholarship will offer one more step toward that goal. To honor someone I love and respect at the same time is icing on the cake!”