News Archive

When Lauren Peña, ’13, remembers law school, there are some light-hearted memories—a Phi Delta Phi student talent show that featured a skit about professors, for one—but she also recalls the shadow of worry.

That’s because Peña recalls that the IU McKinney Law class of 2013 was the first to graduate after the financial crisis of 2007-2008, a global event considered by many economists to have been the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Peña and her classmates were well aware that the legal profession they were about to enter was not immune from the economic fallout.

“Many members of our class struggled to find jobs,” she says.

But Peña also remembers her classmates as passionate and committed to succeeding, despite the bleak economic news.

“When the opportunity to be a Class Agent presented itself three years ago, I wanted to do it because I knew it would be a struggle for members of our class to give back so early in their careers, especially given the challenges they faced at graduation,” she says.

“At the same time, I work at the law school, and every day I see firsthand what McKinney offers to students, the difference it makes in their lives, and the value of the program. I knew it was important to remind our class of all the wonderful things we have received from our time here.”

Peña is a bit competitive, so she’s been thrilled to see the participation in giving among her classmates increase since she became Class Agent. Even more satisfying is keeping a connection to her fellow law school grads through Facebook, law school-sponsored CLE events, and volunteer opportunities in which alumni speak directly with prospective and current students.

 “When it comes to giving to McKinney, I don’t find it difficult to ask people for money,” Peña says. “Being a Class Agent means that I can relate to the unique circumstances we were in then. Every class has its challenges. My message is, ‘this is why I give, and why you should, too.’”