Associate Dean Wendy Scott was among the honorees at a New York City gala where her law school alma mater's Black Allied Law Student Association recognized alumni "whose contributions to the field of law and beyond have inspired us as students."
The NYU Black Allied Law Students Association recognized Elon Law Associate Dean Wendy Scott this month during the organization’s 2019 Black History Gala.
Scott was among the honorees at a February 1 program in New York City's Prince George Ballroom whose theme was “The Next 50 Years of Black Excellence.” Founded half a century ago by the Hon. A.J. Cooper at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, BALSA promotes the achievements of New York University’s black law students while serving as a resource for networking and professional development opportunities.
Previous honorees have included Cooper, Professor Paulette Caldwell, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Hon. Raymond Lohier and Professor Bryan Stevenson, author of Elon Law's Common Reading "Just Mercy" for incoming students.
"I cannot begin to express how humbled I am to receive this recognition from the NYU BALSA chapter, an organization that remains near and dear to my heart,” Scott said in ceremonial remarks. “It was in law school that I began to see how law has shaped the experience of black people in America. It was in law school that I learned the power of being organized through my work in BALSA.
“And let us not forget the power of faith. Our history and success as African Americans should remain deeply rooted in our faith in God because, in the words of Dr. King, the arc of the universe bends towards justice."
Prior to joining the Elon Law faculty, Scott led Mississippi College School of Law, serving from 2014-2016 as the first African-American to guide the school as dean.
Scott secured her stature in the history of legal education as the first tenured African-American woman at Tulane Law School and the first African-American to serve Tulane as vice dean for academic affairs. She went on to teach at N.C. Central University School of Law for eight years. Scott served at N.C. Central for three of those years as associate dean for academic affairs.
Scott graduated from Harvard University and New York University School of Law. Her professional work included positions as a staff attorney at the Legal Action Center of the City of New York, as an associate at Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard in New York City, and associate counsel for the Center for Law and Social Justice.