George Washington Fields Scholarship 100 x $100 Challenge

The Cornell Black Lawyers Alumni Network is grateful for your contribution on Cornell Giving Day – thank you!

Please continue to support diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. 

Make your gift of $100 today and help us raise $10,000 for the G.W. Fields Scholarship Fund.

Diversity at Cornell Law School is not new, nor did it happen by chance. Cornell Law School's first graduating class included George Washington Fields, the only former slave to graduate from Cornell University. Leadership gifts from Andrianne S. Payson J.D. `00, Laura A. Wilkinson M.B.A. `85, J.D. `86, and Ernest Eric Elmore A.B. `86, J.D. `89 inspired members of the Cornell Black Lawyers Alumni Network (CBLAN) to establish a scholarship to commemorate the life and achievement of George Washington Fields. Fields was the first African-American to graduate from Cornell's Department of Law in 1890.  He eventually established a law practice in Hampton, Virginia and became active in civic organizations. The Fields Scholarship is awarded annually at the discretion of the Allan R. Tessler Dean on the basis of academic merit to a J.D. candidate.

Meet our first George Washington Fields Scholar:

"The George Washington Fields Scholarship means a lot to me. It is through this scholarship that I am able to be part of the Cornell Law School community," said Ms. Nwosu-Sylvester with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. "I feel so honored. Thank you for believing in me."

Determined to Make a Difference

Evita Nwosu-Sylvester's professional life can be defined by her determination to make a difference.

"I'm on a mission to help people with disabilities like me. I realize that a lot of people in my position will never get the opportunity to be where I am today," said Ms. Nwosu-Sylvester, a first-year law student at Cornell Law School (CLS). "I have a responsibility to represent and advocate for them."

Overcoming Obstacles

Ms. Nwosu-Sylvester, who has mild cerebral palsy, had to overcome many obstacles to get to where she is today. "It's been rough growing up," noted Ms. Nwosu-Sylvester, "I've had a lot of surgeries and I had aides walking with me to and from class," explained Ms. Nwosu-Sylvester. "I didn't have a lot of friends and felt really insecure."

Fast-Forward to Today

You would never know that. Ms.Nwosu-Sylvester is self-assured, has a fulfilling social life, and and enjoys singing which she credits for building her self confidence.

Before pursuing a law degree, Ms. Nwosu-Sylvester thought being a psychologist would be the best way to help people with disabilities until her passion waned just before her senior year. During that time, a family friend who is an attorney recommended the law as an alternative pathway for advocating for this population.

Professional Purpose

Although she decided to change directions, she never wavered from her professional purpose: "I always wanted to work with organizations that help people with disabilities. And with a law degree, I can be an advocate and give back." Ms.Nwosu-Sylvester has her sights set on effectuating change at the policy level, pointing out: "I can also help make larger policy changes and have more of an impact."

Aiming High

Ms.Nwosu-Sylvester applied to CLS because she loved the campus environment, the student-teacher ratio, and the small town vibe. And just when she was about to give up hope of moving from the waitlist to accepted student status, she received an email from CLS stating there's a a seat available. Overjoyed, she quickly seized the opportunity.

"I feel so lucky and blessed," effused Ms.Nwosu-Sylvester. "I would never have imagined that I would be at Cornell Law School, an Ivy League school. I would never have dreamed this. I just feel so lucky and blessed to be here."

The George Washington Fields Scholarship

As part of her financial aid package, Cornell awarded her a merit-based scholarship: the George Washington Fields Scholarship, which is named in honor of the first African American graduate of Cornell Law School and one of the first African American students to graduate from Cornell University. The G.W. Fields Scholarship was established by the Cornell Black Lawyer's Alumni Network (CBLAN) and Ms.Nwosu-Sylvester was the first recipient in 2017.

Getting More Involved

With one year under her belt, Ms.Nwosu-Sylvester is getting more involved at CLS. This past February she sang at the Law School's cabaret show, which raises money for public interest grants. She was recently elected to the Black Law Students Association's executive board as the career services liaison; her term begins this fall. Currently, she is training to help low-income clients obtain divorces through CLS's Uncontested Divorce Project.

And she is just getting started.

Her Strength and Inspiration

So what's the source of her strength to keep going: her faith. "It is only because of God that I am where I am today. I have been through a lot. He is using me to do something great at this institution."