The University of Miami School of Law recently hosted its annual donor scholarship luncheon, bringing together donors and their scholarship recipients. This event serves as a unique opportunity for donors to meet and connect with the students who have benefited from their generosity and for the students to express their gratitude and share their experiences as law students.
This year alone, 223 donor scholarships were awarded to students in the School of Law. One of these donors, Lydia Harrison, met her current student recipient, 2L Raquel Draghi, who received the Lydia and Burton Harrison Scholarship. The scholarship was established by the late Burton Harrison and his wife.
"The scholarship was established to help first generation students in need of funding," said Lydia Harrison. "Hopefully our student receipient will have a wonderful career and be able to pay it forward."
Burton Harrison received his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami and a J.D., cum laude, in 1952, where he served as an editor of the Law Review. After graduating and being admitted to the Florida Bar, he enlisted in the United States Army and served three years as a JAG officer. Following his military service, he had a long and successful career practicing law, specializing in banking and related fields. His practice took him to many parts of the United States, as well as Switzerland and Costa Rica.
"I'm honored to be chosen as the recipient of the Lydia and Burton Harrison Scholarship," said Draghi. "Going to law school was a dream I put on the backburner for many years. After working in New York for nine years, I decided to go back to school to invest in my future and pursue a more challenging and rewarding career. I plan to pursue a career in real estate or corporate law upon graduation."
Like Burton Harrison, Draghi is involved with the University of Miami Law Review, serving as junior staff editor. A magna cum laude graduate of the University at Albany, she spent several years working in the retail business – from Bloomingdales to Tom Ford Beauty to Bond No. 9 Fragrances in New York City. After her first year at Miami Law, she worked as a summer associate in the corporate group of Holland & Knight.
"Receiving this scholarship allows me to continue pursuing my dreams, and I cannot be more grateful," said Draghi.
