The Rath Foundation - An Enduring Legacy at UW-Madison

My experience at the UW has been incredibly memorable thanks to the connections and friendships I've made that will last a lifetime. It has been wonderful to come back to Madison, the city I consider home, and to get a world-class education at a school I have always loved. My Rath scholarship has allowed me to pursue an education and career path free from financial limitations. Before receiving my Rath scholarship, I thought that I would have to work part-time to be able to afford law school, which would have undoubtedly limited my opportunities outside of the classroom. After receiving the Rath scholarship, I have been able to pursue pro bono and extracurricular activities that have allowed me to give back to the community and grow my legal skills. My Rath scholarship has also given me the opportunity to work as a research assistant to an amazing faculty member. The work and research that I have assisted with has significantly enriched my education. Learning about the law in a classroom setting can often be sterile and feel removed from the realities of the world. The work has allowed me to see the law in a practical and real sense, through real people’s perspectives and lives. I am proud of what I have accomplished thus far. While a second-year law student, I was able to work as a student attorney in one of our legal clinics and assist the families of three children who left their home country due to violence and death of parents. This involved getting guardianships in place and receiving findings in state courts that they could use to petition immigration courts for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, putting them on a path to green cards and permanent residence. I also spent two summers interning in indigent defense and helping some of the most vulnerable in our society. Receiving a Rath scholarship has reminded me of the value of giving back and paying it forward. While still a student, my financial means are limited. However, I donate and give back to my community in other ways. I donate my time and skills to help others in need. I look forward to the day I can give back to the UW in a more substantial way. I think the most important part of Rath scholarships to students at the UW is the financial freedom and opportunity. As an undergraduate student at a different institution of higher education, I did not have the financial freedom to focus all of

Mackenzie "Kenzie" Bailey '18 JDx'24 Oregon, Wisconsin

Social Work Law

“I am a first-generation college graduate and at times it felt like pursuing a law degree was out of reach for someone from my background.”

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN LAW SCHOOL