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DePaul receives $2.5 million estate gift for law scholarships

DePaul University College of Law recently received a $2.5 million gift from the estate of John O. Tucker (JD ’64). The gift will be used to fund a number of student scholarships, which will be available to students entering law school in fall 2016 and beyond.

“We are so thankful for Mr. Tucker’s generous gift, as it shows his appreciation for the education he received at DePaul Law, and his thoughtfulness in investing in DePaul’s future generation of lawyers,” said Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea.

Tucker, an Ohio native, served as a radar technician in the Air Force during World War II. After his military service, he returned to Ohio, enrolled in the Case Institute of Technology and earned a degree in chemical engineering. He worked for Glidden Paints and then for Cleveland-based Lincoln Electric Co., the company that would bring him to Chicago and, eventually, to DePaul.

While working for Lincoln Electric’s Chicago office, Tucker decided to pursue advanced degrees. He enrolled in DePaul’s College of Law and earned his JD in 1964. He also earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. Tucker continued to work for Lincoln Electric, transferring from Chicago to San Francisco and then to Seattle, where he would finish out a 45-year career with the company.

Though Tucker never formally practiced law, he was grateful for his legal training. He leaves a legacy that will benefit future DePaul law students who seek to advance their training and education as he did.