About the Award

The Donald Dunn Law Library Award was established through a generous donation by ’L77 Alumnus Joel Ginsburg and Rebecca Ginsburg, who served as the Law Library secretary. The award honors the legacy of Donald J. Dunn (1945-2008, L’83) and is given to School of Law students with a demonstrated connection to the Law Library.

Donald J. Dunn joined WNE as law librarian and assistant professor in 1973, the full-time law program’s inaugural year. He earned his JD from WNE in 1983—a rare feat for a tenured law professor. By 1996, Don was appointed interim dean, accepting a permanent appointment two years later. In 2001, Don retired as dean and resumed his prior post as Law Library director and professor. From 2004 to 2008, he was dean and professor of law at the University of La Verne in California.

Don was an active American Bar Association (ABA) member, serving as an ABA site evaluator for law schools seeking national accreditation on over 40 site evaluation teams. He was a passionate and vocal law librarian and educator who contributed to the advancement of law librarianship and the legal profession. This soft-spoken Texas gentleman was a masterful leader with a steadying effect on others. An eternal optimist, he treated everyone with dignity and respect, always with a smile and a few words of encouragement. Don was instrumental in establishing WNE as a law school with opportunities to achieve the American Dream of upward mobility through legal education.

Award Details

     Award Amount: $1,000
     Number of Recipients: 2 awards annually
     Applications Accepted: March 1st to April 1st
     Application Deadline: April 1st
     Recipient Notified: Last day of classes at Western New England University School of Law

Eligibility Requirements

1. A student currently attending the Western New England University School of Law
2. Demonstrate a connection with the Western New England University School of Law Library
3. Submission of a completed application, including the essay
4. The recipient of the award agrees to write Joel and Rebecca Ginsberg a note of thanks and give it to the Law Library

Application Requirements

1. Complete and submit this Application by the application deadline
2. The essay must describe the impact of the Western New England School of Law Library on your life, academic development, or professional growth. The essay should not exceed 500 words.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:
1. The Eligibility Requirements and Application Requirements
2. Depth or impact of connection to the Law Library
3. Quality and thoughtfulness of the essay
4. Preference is given to first-generation students

Please contact Assoc. Dean Nicole Belbin (nbelbin@law.wne.edu) with any questions.