Graduating class donates almost $8,600 to clinical program and artwork to library

Photo by Christina Ulian

Tim Edwards, Law '11, presents a cheque to Professor David Freedman for Law '11's graduating class gift to the Elder Law Clinic on April 27 in the Law Library, where the paintings, also donated by the class, are displayed.

The Class of Law '11 has left its legacy for future Queen’s Law students, raising $8,572 for their graduating class gift to the school’s new Elder Law Clinic and additional funds for a series of paintings for the Law Library.

Tim Edwards, Law '11 Co-President, who led the fundraising campaign for the Clinic this year, says the executive wanted to build on the $3,500 already raised by the class through various events during their time at Queen’s. Their open call for online individual donations resulted in more than $1,400 from 88 students – 53% of the class. According to Dean Bill Flanagan, “This is one of the highest participation rates for any graduating class gift in the history of the school – a wonderful achievement for the Class of Law '11.” 

The Dean was so impressed, he offered to draw from the school’s general alumni fund to match the students’ individual donations and contribute an additional $2,000 to the class gift. This adds up to a grand total of almost $8,600, making this one of the school’s largest-ever graduating class gifts. 

Noting that hands-on practical experience gained through clinical programs is “highly valued” by Law ’11, Tim says it was easy to select the beneficiary of their significant financial gift. “As the Elder Law Clinic was founded during our time at Queen's, the Class felt it was appropriate to help provide that Clinic with support during its early years.” 

Professor David Freedman, the Clinic’s Director, welcomes the donation. “I am very grateful to the students of Law '11 for their generosity,” he says. “We will use the funds to build the infrastructure necessary to provide services to seniors.”

The series of three gift paintings, entitled "Temporal Space," are by Queen’s Fine Arts student Bronwyn Loucks. They hang in the Law Library’s main reading room, where they can be appreciated by all law students. “It is the goal of the Class of 2011 to inspire future students in the areas where they work towards the completion of their legal studies,” Tim says. 

Such gifts are made as part of “ThankQ,” the Queen’s tradition whereby graduating students give back to their school to enhance the experience of the students who succeed them.