The University of New Mexico School of Law will be able to offer up to 10 full-tuition scholarships each year thanks to a $4.5 million gift from alumnus Eric Knapp and his wife, Dana Marie.
Their commitment expands the Peter A. Winograd Endowed Annual Scholarship in Law and is designed to support future generations of UNM Law students.
Winograd was the first person to speak with Eric when he inquired about law school, beginning a relationship that shaped both his legal education and his commitment to UNM Law. He also credits the school’s nationally regarded clinical programs, hands‑on training and supportive community of alumni and practitioners for preparing him to succeed from day one.
“The opportunities at UNM Law are different from those at many other law schools,” Eric said. “The clinical law programs and the generosity of alumni and local practitioners who support students through moot court, mock trial and externships create an environment that prepares students for actual law practice and enables them to hit the ground running.”
The scholarship honors Winograd, who joined UNM Law’s faculty in 1976 as associate dean and has served the law school for 50 years.
“The Knapps’ generosity will have a transformative impact on the law school’s efforts to attract extraordinary students in years to come,” Winograd said.
Eric Knapp earned his J.D. from UNM Law in 1998. He practiced as a litigator in Albuquerque before serving as an associate and partner at firms in San Francisco.
Dana Marie Knapp is a former senior litigation paralegal and now a small business owner in California.
Together, the Knapps began supporting the scholarship in 2014.
