By Ava Steffens

Craig McGee, a first‑year law student from Florissant, Missouri, is studying general law at SIU Simmons Law School with the goal of using his legal training to uplift his community and improve the lives of others. He is a recipient of the Charter Class: Campaign for Excellence Scholarship, which is awarded to select law students.

He chose SIU for its accessibility, valuing Carbondale’s two‑hour proximity to his hometown, which allows him to focus on his studies while staying close to family. His connection to the university deepened through his sister, whose move‑in and move‑out days gave him his first experiences on campus.

“I had a very good connection with this place before I ever thought about going here for law,” he said.

McGee describes SIU Simmons Law School as a down-to-earth environment, saying the small-town setting provides a competitive and motivating space. While the career path can seem intimidating at times, he said, SIU showed him that his goals were accessible.

Early in his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri–Saint Louis, he gravitated toward psychology while remaining heavily involved in athletics as a baseball player. Guided by his passion for helping others and his strengths in language, he shifted to law — following the example of his grandfather, an attorney who encouraged him to pursue the field and consider SIU.

“As a child, before I recognized he was an attorney, I recognized that he was a humble person,” he said. “I also realized that my skill set was very congruent to that career path.”

He described feeling “elated” when he first learned about his scholarship, which arrived as an unexpected but pleasant surprise while checking his phone. Knowing it would ease his financial burden, he felt freer to move forward in his educational journey.

“It was a very impactful moment for me,” he said. “As everyone knows, going to law school is expensive and there’s a lot of fees.”

McGee said his family shared his excitement and has consistently supported him throughout his academic journey. He views the scholarship as a blessing for them as well, knowing they welcome any help available.

“I called my family immediately,” he said. “It was a big deal for them too, because they want to see me succeed.”

In addition to letting him focus fully on his academics, the scholarship also served as encouragement for McGee. Although the donor did not know him personally, he said the support demonstrated a willingness to create opportunities for students like him.

“It’s a very wholesome thing,” he said. “It is just nice to know that there’s people who want to do good with what they have. Anytime you can take any of that weight off someone’s shoulder, it is really a blessing to allow them to move forward in their life.”

McGee emphasizes the importance of all students applying for scholarships and grants, noting that such opportunities often go untapped and can ease financial barriers for those willing to seek them out.

“Many often can’t pursue educational opportunities because they can’t afford it,” he said. “I hope the donors continue to give, because they’re making a tremendous impact, whether they see it or not.”

McGee hopes to give back to SIU in the future by creating opportunities for students, including establishing his own scholarship fund. He aims to involve SIU students in clerkships or internships within his projects or connect them with other professionals in the field.

“As a lawyer, you can really have an impact on a lot of people’s lives,” he said. “I realized that I could help people in that way.”

The Charter Class: Campaign for Excellence Scholarship is an award supported by a pool of combined gifts from multiple donors. This initiative helps make SIU one of only 21 universities nationwide, out of 4,000, classified as both a Research 1 institution and an Opportunity University. This designation reflects the university’s commitment to discovery, access, and student opportunities.

For those moved by Craig McGee’s experience, partnering with the SIU Foundation by supporting a scholarship is a meaningful way to help future Salukis. Your contribution opens doors and creates life‑changing opportunities. To give, visit siuf.org/give.