The founder and owner of The Clauson Law Firm, PLLC, Vaughn S. Clauson, understands the power of education and appreciates how difficult it can be for students to afford the high costs associated with attending a college or university. He knows that it can be particularly difficult for individuals who delayed pursuing their academic studies to enter the workplace or serve their country as members of the Armed Forces.
As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who worked in carpentry and woodworking before pursuing a law degree later in life, Vaughn now uses his skills as an attorney to give back to the community by helping others. His goal in establishing the Vaughn S. Clauson Public Interest Scholarship is to help those students who chose to similarly follow a non-traditional or second-career path to a college or professional degree.
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies degree or certificate. Candidates must possess a desire to use their talents for the good of their community through engagement in work serving the public interest. The scholarship is specifically intended to offer financial assistance to those individuals who delayed their academic studies to serve in the military or work in other careers before returning to pursue their educational goals.
The Vaughn S. Clauson Public Interest Scholarship is open to students attending a college, university graduate school, or law school located in the United States during the 2021-2022 school year without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability or national origin. The $2,000 scholarship is a one-time, non-renewable award payable before the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
The scholarship shall be paid directly to the appropriate office at the college or university upon presentation of satisfactory documentation from the school confirming the student's enrollment for the 2021-2022 academic year. The funds may only be used to cover the actual cost of tuition, books and academic supplies, fees, and housing at the school attended by the student.
“On behalf of our entire team here at the Clauson Law Firm, I congratulate Theodore (Ted) Berry, of the State of Maine, as the winner of our scholarship award for “second-career” students who are pursuing careers in law in the public interest or any other public service career. A graduate of the University of Main at Augusta, he has been accepted to start law school at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in the fall of 2021. Ted has shown tenacity and courage in his pursuit of a career in law while carrying on family responsibilities and making a difference in his community. We wish him well!” Vaughn S. Clauson.
