Loyola University Chicago School of Law Announces Creation of the Aréanah Preston Memorial Scholarship

CONTACT

Christian Anderson

canderson31@luc.edu

312.915.7266

Kristi Turnbaugh

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NOTE TO MEDIA: The creation of the Aréanah Preston Memorial Scholarship will be officially announced at an event with Aréanah’s family, University officials, and law enforcement colleagues at 3 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, in the Ceremonial Courtroom, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 25 East Pearson St., Chicago. The event is open to the media.

Chicago, IL–January 21, 2025

Loyola University Chicago School of Law announces the establishment of the Aréanah Preston Memorial Scholarship, made possible through a generous gift from the family foundation established in her name, The Peace for Preston Foundation. The scholarship honors the legacy of Aréanah Preston and reaffirms Loyola’s commitment to fostering equity, opportunity, and excellence in legal education.

The Aréanah Preston 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. The scholarship aims to empower talented law enforcement professionals to pursue legal education and meaningful careers in law and law enforcement.

“We are deeply grateful to the Peace for Preston Foundation for their vision and generosity,” said Michèle Alexandre, Dean of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. “The Aréanah Preston Memorial Scholarship embodies the Jesuit principles of service and justice that are at the heart of our mission. As a police officer, Aréanah worked to build trust between police officers and the communities they served. At the School of Law, Aréanah was dedicated and determined. She deftly balanced her law coursework, her law enforcement career, and many other responsibilities. Classmates looked to Aréanah as a leader, and they remember her kindness, intellect, and commitment to service. Aréanah was a person who fought for justice, and she made communities better.”

Preston was a Chicago Police Department (CPD) officer who served for more than two years in Chicago’s 5^th Police District. She was deeply committed to justice, a passion ignited during a 2019 educational trip to Holocaust sites in Germany and Poland. This experience inspired her to join the police force, aiming to be a voice for the voiceless.

In May of 2023, Officer Preston was fatally shot during a robbery attempt outside her home in the Avalon Park neighborhood. She had just completed her shift and was only days away from graduating with a Master in Jurisprudence degree from Loyola University School of Law. Loyola awarded her degree posthumously.

For more information about the Aréanah Preston Memorial Scholarship and to make a gift to the fund, go to LUC.edu/PrestonScholarship.

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About Loyola University Chicago School of Law

Founded in 1908, Loyola University Chicago School of Law is committed to preparing the next generation of legal professionals grounded in ethics, compassion, and a commitment to justice. The School of Law offers a wide range of academic programs, experiential learning opportunities, and a vibrant community that fosters professional and personal growth.

About the Peace for Preston Foundation

The Peace for Preston Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and enrichment to the City of Chicago for youth and communities through established programs. Our mission is to uphold the legacy of Aréanah Preston, and her effortless work to inspire youth, empower communities, and protect the future of the next generation.