American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL) recently received a significant gift that will increase access to legal education for students in need. 

Judge Robert “Bob” Shuker was a successful lawyer and associate judge of the DC Superior Court. After he passed away in 1993, his family and friends started the Robert A. Shuker Scholarship Fund to provide financial support for students. Since 1994, more than 65 of these scholarships have been awarded; one of the first was given to Fatimah A. Mateen ’95, a then-student at AUWCL. 

This year, the Robert A. Shuker Scholarship Fund’s Board of Directors chose AUWCL to be the fund’s new home. The Shuker Scholarship will support AUWCL JD students who demonstrate financial need, service to the community, and scholastic ability. 

Like many of the beneficiaries of the scholarship that bears his name, Judge Shuker had to overcome financial obstacles in pursuit of his legal education. 

“Bob grew up very poor; he was raised on a chicken farm. He went to Brown University on a full scholarship,” said his wife, The Honorable Nan (Huhn) Shuker ’69. He worked at various jobs during his school years to make ends meet.  

Judge Shuker had a legendary passion for helping others. He taught criminal law at several institutions, inspired numerous judicial clerks, and served as a role model for many young lawyers. 

Nan Shuker describes the scholarship as “such a good way of keeping his memory alive.” 

Although Judge Bob Shuker didn’t attend AUWCL, Hon. Nan Shuker says he understood the value of learning and the importance of providing for those with few financial resources. Having the dedicated fund at AUWCL ensures the continuation of the Shukers’ shared belief in the power of accessible and inclusive education for all. 

Cristina Gil ’20, a 2017 Shuker scholarship recipient, said in a video message, “I am the first in my family to graduate high school, to go to college, to become a lawyer. I can’t thank you [Shuker Scholarship supporters] enough for investing in me, so that I could become the first.” 

Shuker says her experience as a female law student in the 1960s differed compared to those attending AUWCL today; though she acknowledges there remains plenty of work to be done. 

In addition to the gift from the Robert A. Shuker Scholarship Fund, Shuker is making a personal gift of her own, making AUWCL a beneficiary of her estate. 

“The gift to AUWCL reflects our support for the forward-thinking direction in which the school has been moving,” she said. “I’ve been happy to see positive achievements in diversity at AUWCL from Dean Fairfax and past Dean Camille Nelson. Bob would have been extremely pleased as well.” 

“I am grateful to Nan and the Scholarship Fund for this generous and transformative gift in support of the next generation of legal excellence,” said Dean Roger A. Fairfax Jr. 

Originally published in The Advocate, Summer/Fall 2023