Gift to Law School to Fund Scholarships for Students with Public-Service Dreams

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Irene Ebert and her family, to honor their son and family member, Frederick C. Ebert, who dedicated his legal career to public service, have established an endowment at the University at Buffalo Law School to fund scholarships for law students committed to doing the same.

Ebert, who died unexpectedly in 2001 while at work, was a 1986 graduate of the Law School. He was a "dedicated and highly regarded" public defender in the Oneida County Public Defender's Office, "a gentle man who was a true workhorse," according to his boss, Frank J. Nebush.

Thanking the Ebert family for its generosity, Nils Olsen, dean of the Law School, noted, "Not only have you eloquently remembered your son and brother, but you have done so in a way that captures the essence of his soul and encourages others who wish to follow the dream of serving the public's interest."

The Frederick C. Ebert Scholarship will be awarded to students who have shown a strong commitment to public service and plan to serve in the public interest following graduation from law school. The scholarship guidelines state that the recipient also must have substantial prior work experience and be "pursuing a law degree in an effort to either advance an existing career or to make a career change." The student also must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated financial need.

After graduating from Ithaca College in 1968, Ebert served in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In 1970, he returned to school, earning an MBA from New York University. He worked at Sperry Univac, Inc. and Burns Personnel, Inc. before entering UB Law School. He joined the Oneida County Public Defender's Office in 1988 and at the time of his death was serving as first assistant public defender in the violent-crimes area.

Additions to the Frederick C. Ebert Scholarship Fund continue to be accepted, and may be sent to the UB Law School, c/o of Mary Ann Rogers, associate dean and director of development, 408 O'Brian Hall, Buffalo, N.Y. 14260.

For information on how you can support the University at Buffalo, go to http://www.buffalo.edu/giving.