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WIU alum Matt Bills.
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The WIU Mock Trial team.
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Pre-Law Excellence Fund Established

February 27, 2025

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MACOMB, IL – A newly established excellence fund aims to provide financial support for Western Illinois University students interested in furthering their education in law school.

The focus areas for the fund include the Mock Trial Team, the Pre-Law Society, Law School Admission Test (LSAT) test prep resources, LSAT registration costs, the Pre-Law Symposium and other related needs and initiatives.

The Pre-Law Excellence Fund's main priority is to fund the Mock Trial team, providing a strong foundation for the team's success. Specifically, the funds will be used for WIU's membership fees in the American Mock Trial Association, tournament entry fees and expenses related to tournament travel. Each school year, WIU's team attends two tournaments. They compete with other schools across the country to showcase their knowledge of legal practices and procedures while developing their critical thinking and public speaking skills.

Dave Young, Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) assistant professor and co-advisor of the Mock Trial team said support for this experience is crucial for WIU students.

"We have several students who have shown an interest in attending law school," Young said. "These competitions show our students that WIU is just as good as other universities, and it helps our students gain confidence."

With enhanced support from the Pre-Law Excellence Fund, the Mock Trial team will have the opportunity to attend more tournaments and further enhance their skill sets.

In addition to funding the Mock Trial team, the excellence fund will provide financial support for LSAT expenses, including test preparation resources such as books and online practice tests, and for LSAT registration fee.

"We know WIU students graduate with the strong skill set to be successful in law school," College of Arts and Sciences Director of Development Amy Crosby said. "The Pre-Law Excellence Fund will ensure that cost is not a barrier for students pursuing their dreams."

Additionally, the Pre-Law Excellence Fund will provide long-lasting experiences for WIU students, aiding them in fostering connections with alumni and other professionals through the annual Pre-Law Symposium. Through this event, students can speak with recruiters from different law schools and learn from keynote speakers who have established prominence in the legal field. The Pre-Law Excellence Fund will work to provide opportunities like these for many years to come.

"This fund will further enhance opportunities by nurturing connections between current undergraduates and WIU alumni who are law students or attorneys," Keith Boeckelman, professor of Political Science and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences said. "Over the years, WIU graduates have excelled in legal and related fields, and the Pre-Law Excellence Fund will build on this history of success, provide a means of serving their needs across the campus and continue Western's tradition of excellent preparation for law school."

Leadership support for the Pre-Law Excellence Fund comes from WIU alumni Matt `99 and Carrie Bills `98.

"WIU's Pre-Law programs offer meaningful experiences, exposure, and opportunities to students who are interested in pursuing a career in law. Carrie and I are pleased to support these excellent initiatives and also help defray the costs of the law school admissions process," Matt, who earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law and now is a Partner and Co-Chair of the Litigation Group at the Chicago law firm Barack Ferrazzano LLP said.

Thanks to the Bills' investment, the Pre-Law Excellence Fund is on its way to endowment status. Once the fund is endowed, it will provide critical support for the Pre-Law program in perpetuity. Donors wishing to support the Pre-Law Excellence Fund can contact Crosby, at al-crosby@wiu.edu.

Posted By: Taylor Holan (td-holan@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing