Gift establishes the School of Law’s Julian Klein Davidson Scholarship
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Foundation, the Law Foundation of UMKC and the School of Law are pleased to announce and acknowledge a $1 million gift to the Law Foundation. Dr. Mary Davidson Cohen provided the gift in honor of her late father, Mr. Julian Klein Davidson. The gift will provide scholarships to outstanding School of Law students.
Mr. Davidson graduated from the Kansas City School of Law (now UMKC School of Law) in 1905 with his LL.B., and earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Michigan in 1906. Although Mr. Davidson loved the law, his practice was limited to only 18 months. When Mr. Davidson’s father passed away in 1907, he assumed responsibility for the family’s Kansas City, Mo.-based mortuary business – the Carroll-Davidson Undertaking Company.
In August of 1934, Mr. Davidson married Kathryn Roberts and they had one child, Mary Elizabeth Davidson. Mr. Davidson instilled a thirst for knowledge in his only child at an early age, encouraging her to watch, listen to and observe the world around her. Dr. Cohen herself has had a distinguished career as an educator, putting into practice the lessons learned from her father. Mr. Davidson died in 1949, leaving an enduring legacy of inquiry, learning and education. That legacy will live on through the Davidson Scholars Program, which will provide outstanding students with full scholarships so that they may become outstanding lawyers.
Dr. Cohen established the scholarship fund at the UMKC School of Law to help recruit top students interested in a school that integrates high level thinking and practical skills, and who will use their education and training to provide excellent service to their clients and their communities.
“UMKC is honored to continue Julian Klein Davidson’s legacy through this generous gift of scholarships,” said UMKC School of Law Dean Ellen Suni. “Especially in these difficult economic times, a full scholarship not only allows talented students to attend law school and commit more of their time and energy to their studies, but it reduces their debt load upon graduation, thereby increasing their options within the legal profession. And, this scholarship helps UMKC School of Law achieve excellence through bringing the best and the brightest to Kansas City. We are most appreciative of the generosity of Dr. Cohen and the impact that her father’s legacy through this gift will make in perpetuity.”
In addition to providing a scholarship fund to UMKC, Dr. Cohen has served on the Law Foundation Promotion Committee and Friends of the Conservatory Board of Directors. Her late husband, Barton “Bart” Cohen, established a lecture program at the UMKC School of Law to honor his late father, Joseph Cohen, a 1925 graduate.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience.