School of Law scholarship honors late police officer Aréanah Preston
The $100,000 endowment will support law enforcement officers and civilians pursuing a career in public service.
January 28, 2025
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Members of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and Loyola University Chicago School of Law community gathered to honor the life and enduring legacy of slain Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston on Wednesday, January 22, with the announcement of a scholarship in her memory.
The Aréanah Preston Memorial Scholarship will provide financial support to Chicago police officers and civilian staff and students pursuing studies at the School of Law who demonstrate a commitment to public service, social justice, and community impact.
Made possible through a $100,000 endowment created by the Peace for Preston Foundation, a family organization created in her name, the funding aims to empower the next generation of leaders as they pursue higher education in law and law enforcement.
“This endowed scholarship is a fitting legacy that will benefit the community through future generations of law enforcement officers and staff, grounded in expertise and ethics,” said Mark C. Reed, president of Loyola University Chicago. “It’s a permanent reminder, a permanent memorial to Aréanah, her life, and everything she stood for, and the promise that was ahead of her when her life was cut short.”
It's a permanent reminder, a permanent memorial to Aréanah, her life, and everything she stood for, and the promise that was ahead of her when her life was cut short.
— President Mark C. Reed, EdD
In addition to the scholarship at the School of Law, the Peace for Preston Foundation will also offer community outreach and youth mentoring programs throughout the City of Chicago.
Preston served as a CPD officer for more than two years in Chicago’s 5th Police District. She is remembered for her passion for justice, commitment to her community, and dedication to her role in the Chicago Police Department. In May 2023, Preston was fatally shot in a robbery attempt outside of her Chicago home after returning home from her shift. She was days away from graduating with a Master in Jurisprudence from the School of Law. Loyola conferred the degree posthumously to her family.
“As a dedicated Loyola student, she deftly balanced her law coursework and law enforcement career,” said Michèle Alexandre, dean of the School of Law. “Classmates looked to her as a leader and they remember her kindness and intellect and commitment to service. Areanah was a person who fought for justice and made our communities better.”
Classmates looked to her as a leader and they remember her kindness and intellect and commitment to service. Aréanah was a person who fought for justice and made our communities better.
— Michèle Alexandre, dean of the School of Law
The event on Wednesday included remarks from Preston’s family, members of the Peace for Preston Foundation, Loyola President Mark C. Reed, School of Law Dean Michèle Alexandre, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Senator Elgie Sims (JD ’07), Alderwoman Michelle Harris, and Chicago Police Department Chief Yolanda Talley.
“They have turned heartbreak and tragedy into light, the same light that Aréanah left in the Chicago Police Department,” Chief Talley said, highlighting Preston’s mother Dionne Mhoon’s resilience in the face of hardship.
Mayor Brandon Johnson noted the impact the scholarship will have in the City of Chicago and the CPD. “Those receiving this scholarship will be able to carry out her legacy, but it will also carry out the legacy that she stood for, which is peace, justice, and service.”
The event concluded with a check presentation by the Mhoon-Preston family to the School of Law and a reception, allowing Preston’s family, friends, and CPD colleagues to gather and celebrate her memory. The establishment of the scholarship honors the dedication and legacy of Aréanah Preston and underscores Loyola’s commitment to fostering equity, opportunity, and excellence in legal education.
Watch the video below to view remarks from the event.
Those receiving this scholarship will be able to carry out her legacy, but it will also carry out the legacy that she stood for, which is peace, justice, and service.
— Brandon Johnson, mayor of the City of Chicago
