Ole Miss Law Alumnus Establishes Scholarship for Students Facing Hardship

OXFORD, Miss. – L. Darnell Weeden, a 1975 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, has established the L. Darnell Weeden Good Samaritan Scholarship in Law Endowment to provide need-based emergency assistance to law students facing unforeseen financial hardships. The gift aims to alleviate stress and allow students to remain focused on their studies during challenging times.

Weeden, who also earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Ole Miss in 1972, currently serves as a professor of law at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. He has been a law professor for 47 years.

Supporting Students Through Unexpected Challenges

“If students are worried about their economic situation associated with an emergency, they may not be able to focus on their studies, so some financial assistance will help alleviate that stress,” Weeden said. He noted that many students already carry significant loan debt from undergraduate and law school, and an unexpected financial burden can be particularly demanding.

Frederick G. Slabach, dean of the University of Mississippi School of Law, expressed gratitude for the endowment, acknowledging that financial disruptions are a common occurrence for students. “It’s not uncommon for a number of our students to face financial hardships for one reason or another during the academic year,” Slabach said. “Professor Weeden has seen these situations firsthand many times in his career, and his compassion for helping students is most admirable. He truly embodies the spirit of a good Samaritan.”

A Pioneer and Dedicated Educator

Weeden’s commitment to education extends beyond the classroom. He previously established the L. Darnell Weeden Endowed Scholarship for law students at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to supporting the next generation of legal professionals. He enjoys helping students develop their critical thinking and legal analysis skills.

His own journey as a student at Ole Miss was groundbreaking. Weeden was the first African American student to graduate with a degree in journalism from the university. He recalled that he was often the only Black student in his classes, but was judged on his merit.

From Journalism to Law and Academia

After a brief career as a journalist at the Greenville Delta-Democrat Times, Weeden pursued his Juris Doctor at Ole Miss, recognizing his true calling in the legal field. His early legal career included private practice in Clarksdale and work with Legal Services in Coahoma County.

He later transitioned into academia, holding positions at North Carolina Central University, Southern University, and Antioch College of Law (now the University of the District of Columbia’s Clark School of Law), where he completed a fellowship in its legal clinic and earned a master’s degree in 1979.

Weeden credits the University of Mississippi with shaping his professional life. “I am very glad I went to Ole Miss,” he said. “I enjoy Thurgood Marshall and it’s been good to me, but Ole Miss is home. It’s where I started. But for Ole Miss, I might not be a lawyer and be able to have the opportunity for employment.”

How to Support the Scholarship

The L. Darnell Weeden Good Samaritan Scholarship in Law Endowment is open to contributions from businesses, and individuals. Donations can be sent to the University of Mississippi Foundation at 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655, with the fund’s name included in the memo line. Online donations can be made here.

For more information on supporting the University of Mississippi School of Law, contact Greg Carter, associate director of development, at gjcarter@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1849.