from the office of pl a nned giv ing
Creating A Georgetown Legacy ge orge t o w n u n i v e r si t y | fa l l 2 0 2 4 giving.georgetown.edu/planned-giving As we begin another academic year, I would like to share my deepest
gratitude for your continued support of Georgetown. Your commitment ensures we are able to continue providing the distinctive Georgetown experience shaped by centuries of Jesuit education and embracing the changing times while staying true to our core values: engaging intellect, helping students grow spiritually, exchanging ideas freely, and building a more just world.
Linda Schakel (L’86) with Asmara Montgomery (L’25), the 2024 recipient of the Michael Vincent Hodge Endowed Opportunity Scholarship
Linda Schakel (L’86): Making an Impact in More Than One Way
In 1986, Linda Schakel became one of a handful of women graduating from Georgetown University Law Center. In a highly competitive, male-dominated field, Schakel wondered about opportunities in her new career.
A former teacher for gifted elementary school students, Schakel decided to switch career paths and pursue her dream of practicing law. During that time, she recalls that it was almost unheard of to see a middle-aged, second-career female join a law firm, but deeply believed that Georgetown Law and its unique Jesuit values would help her accomplish her dream. “When I graduated from college in 1970, not that many women went to law school,” says Schakel, who earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and later a Ph.D. in education with a concentration in gifted education. “I was 35 when I decided to go to law school. I looked at different universities and I liked that Georgetown was very accepting of second-career students.” “When I got my first law firm job, I think I was the first 40-year-old associate that they had ever hired.” (continued on next page)
The spirit of Georgetown is alive and well as we enter our 235th year on the Hilltop and grow the new Capitol Campus. Building on the foundation of the Georgetown Law footprint, our downtown expansion has helped create space for new academic programs, new Georgetown students, and new avenues for impact. It is certainly an exciting time for our Georgetown community, and once again, I thank you for your part in helping Georgetown meet today’s challenges, offer immersive learning experiences, and make connections across programs and beyond our walls. With your help, we continue to empower students, foster innovation, and make a meaningful impact on our shared society. With gratitude,
Mindy Siebenaler Bopp, J.D., LL.M (L’20) Executive Director of Planned Giving & Senior Philanthropic Advisor 202-687-6778 mls300@georgetown.edu