By Mike Rhodes
The first Mike Rhodes Social Justice Scholarship of $1,000 was given to Esmeralda Serapio, who is a student at the San Joaquin College of Law. The scholarship was set up by Howard Watkins and Steve Malm with the assistance of Jan Pearson, the dean at the San Joaquin College of Law.
Mike Rhodes, Howard Watkins and Steve Malm in front of the San Joaquin College of Law.
Scholarship recipient Esmeralda Serapio, Mike Rhodes and Howard Watkins at the event at which the winner of the scholarship was announced.
The scholarship helps deserving students who have a special interest in working with disadvantaged populations in need of legal assistance. Serapio is a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) student who hopes to one day provide free legal help to low-income individuals.
“For Steve, Howard and Jan to set up this scholarship in my name gives me hope for the future and it is an honor to help students like Esmeralda,” says Mike Rhodes.
“It is our hope that the scholarship will continue for many years as we were able to raise $20,000, which makes this an endowed fund. I am overwhelmed with the generosity of so many of my good friends and associates, many, but certainly not all, of whom are attorneys.”
