The University of South Carolina School of Law will enrich how it cultivates future leaders thanks to a $1.035 million gift from the Konduros Fisherman Fund.
It is the second gift of more than $1 million to the School of Law by the fund, under the direction of its founder, Columbia attorney and 1954 School of Law alumnus James S. Konduros, and board of directors Kathy Konduros, Dr. Gregg Konduros and Henry D. McMaster Jr.
The initial gift of $1.15 million was made in 2014, the result of Henry D. McMaster Sr., who then worked with the School of Law, bringing together James Konduros and the university, with the help of President Harris Pastides, to create a program designed to attract excellent law students and educate them on the fundamentals of leadership, with a focus on the public sector.
That gift funded the creation of the Konduros Leadership Development Program at the School of Law, as well as scholarships and summer internships for students aspiring to work in public service through governmental and non-profit agencies.
Konduros says this second gift will enrich those offerings for students.
“This second gift will be dedicated to providing further dimension and depth to the experience available to students at the School of Law looking for legal careers in government and community based non-profit entities,” says Konduros, adding that law students today expect a wide range of opportunities for professional growth.
“Without supplemental funding from private donors, it is difficult for law schools to meet the expectations of excellence that students today have,” says Konduros.
Dean Rob Wilcox says the leadership development programs created as result of the Konduros family’s generosity distinguishes the university’s School of Law from other schools, making it possible for law students to realize their goal of a career infused with public service.
“From his own experiences as a lawyer, Mr. Konduros understands that the public is best served by lawyers who can provide leadership in helping public entities solve difficult problems effectively,” Wilcox says. “These gifts together provide our students with signature educational and leadership opportunities that are unique to our law school.”
The Konduros gifts come at a pivotal time for the state’s flagship law school, which opened its new building and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017 and continues to hire new faculty, enhance curriculum and expand law clinics.