New Scholarship Honors Julian Klein Davidson, 1905 Graduate of the Kansas City School of Law On January 11th, 2010, a very special reception was held at the School of Law. That evening, alumni, students, faculty, and members of the UMKC Board of Trustees gathered in the student lounge to recognize Dr. Mary Davidson Cohen as Chancellor Leo Morton announced her commitment of a gift of $1 million to establish the Julian Klein Davidson Scholarship in honor of her late father. The scholarship will provide full tuition to outstanding law students. Julian Klein Davidson graduated from the Kansas City School of Law in 1905 with an L.L.B., and earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Michigan in 1906. His dream was to practice law, but he was able to do so only for a short time. In 1907, his father passed away, and Mr. Davidson found it necessary to assume responsibility for the family’s Kansas City, Missouri-based Mortuary Business, The Carroll-Davidson Undertaking Company. In August of 1934, Mr. Davidson married Kathryn Roberts and they had one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Davidson. He instilled a thirst for knowledge in his only child from a very early age, encouraging her to watch, listen to, and observe the world around her. As a result, Dr. Cohen has had a distinguished career as an educator, putting into practice the lessons learned from her father. Mr. Davidson died in 1949, leaving an enduring legacy of inquiry, learning and education. His legacy will live on through the Davidson Scholars Program, which will provide outstanding students with full scholarships to the School of Law so they may become outstanding lawyers. “UMKC is honored to continue Julian Klein Davidson’s legacy through this generous gift of scholarships,” said Dean Ellen Suni. “Especially in these difficult economic times, a full scholarship not only allows talented students to attend law school and commit more of their time and energy to their studies, but it reduces their debt load upon graduation, thereby increasing their options within the legal profession. And, this scholarship helps the School of Law achieve excellence through bringing the best and the brightest to Kansas City. We are most appreciative of the generosity of Dr. Cohen and the impact that her father’s legacy through this gift will make in perpetuity.” In addition to providing a scholarship fund to UMKC, Dr. Cohen has served on the Law Foundation Promotion Committee and Friends of the Conservatory Board of Directors. Her late husband, Barton “Bart” Cohen, established a lecture program at the UMKC School of Law to honor his late father, Joseph Cohen, a 1925 graduate.