Scholarship recipient -- Natalie T. Lorenz, center, a third-year student at the SIU School of Law, accepts a scholarship totaling $5,000 from the American Counsel Association. With Lorenz, who is from Perryville, Mo., is Timothy Bertschy, left, an attorney with the Heyl Royster law firm in Peoria and an ACA member, and Dean Cynthia L. Fountaine. (Photo by Steve Buhman) Download Photo Here
November 23, 2011
Law student earns prestigious scholarship
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Natalie T. Lorenz, a third-year student at the Southern Illinois University School of Law, recently earned a prestigious scholarship from the American Counsel Association.
Lorenz earned a $5,000 award from the organization’s George Kerr ACA Scholarship Fund and the Lowell H. Jacobson Scholarship Foundation. A third-year law student who ranks high in her class, Lorenz will graduate in May 2012. She is the daughter of Brian and Laurie Bachmann of Perryville, Mo., and married to Kyle Lorenz.
Dean Cynthia L. Fountaine said she is proud of Lorenz’ efforts.
“It’s an honor that the American Counsel Association decided to double the amount of the award because of her outstanding achievements. The law school is very proud of her.”
“I’m ecstatic,” Lorenz said. “This is going to be nice because it will allow me to do the kind of work that I want to do. I’m not going to have to be as worried about paying back loans.”
The organization provides the scholarships to students who show scholarship, financial need, and a commitment to public service.
Lorenz is on the SIU Law Journal, and served a judicial externship with U.S. Magistrate Judge Lewis M. Blanton for the Eastern District of Missouri in Cape Girardeau. She is a teaching assistant in the law school’s Lawyering Skills program, and a research assistant for faculty members. She also worked for the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation in Carbondale.
Timothy Bertschy, an attorney with the Heyl Royster law firm in Peoria and an ACA member, came to the law school to present Lorenz the scholarship. Each year the organization provides scholarships to two or more students, but this year opted to combine two scholarships based on Lorenz’ academic and community service credentials.
“A large part of our role is providing assistance to outstanding students,” Bertschy said. “Clearly, Natalie’s resume shows she has distinguished herself not only as a student, but also the work she has done here at the school outside of her classes, and her work in the community.”
Lorenz said she plans to go into estate planning law. She recently accepted a position with Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., which has offices in Belleville, Edwardsville, Nashville, and St. Louis.
Lorenz earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in December 2008 from Southeast Missouri State University. She said she came to the SIU School of Law due to the welcoming atmosphere.
“I really liked whenever I visited how nice everybody was and the sense of community,” she said. “I really liked that it is close-knit and all of your professors know who you are.”