The law students were selected by the deans of five Michigan law schools based upon criteria set by each college. Four other scholarships were presented to the children of full-time court employees. 

The four, who are attending or plan to attend colleges this fall, excelled in essays about their leadership ability, field of study, career potential and the benefits and importance of a college education.

The $1,000 scholarships — in their 18th year — are presented in the memory of the late U.S. District Judge Ralph M. Freeman and his late wife, Emmalyn. 

Freeman was appointed U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan in 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He served as chief judge from 1967-72, took senior status in 1973 and continued to serve until his death in 1990.

Freeman was a 1926 law graduate of the University of Michigan. He practiced law in Flint, served as Genesee County Prosecuting Attorney in 1930-32 and was a member of the Flint Board of Education in 1935-1949, serving two terms as President in 1938-1939 and 1948-1949.

Freeman bequeathed part of his estate “for the purpose of benefitting the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.” 

The court created the Ralph M. Freeman Foundation, whose trustees decided the scholarship program was an appropriate way to honor the Freemans.

Law school scholarships were presented to:

• Arturo Alfaro, of Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, which selects a law student in their final year and who excels in litigation.

• Ellen Christie, of Michigan State University College of Law, which selects a law student who treats everyone in the legal process with courtesy and respect based upon The Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the
Michigan Supreme Court.

• Arthur Joseph Duffy IV, Wayne State University Law School, which picks a second- or third-year law student with the best record in evidence.

• Scott A. Gallagher, of the University of Michigan Law School, which selects a second- or third-year law student who excels in criminal law and procedure.

• Kory Steen, of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, which picks a student in their final year of law school who as has excelled in civil procedure and best represents the concepts of civility and professionalism expected of a trial attorney.

College scholarships were presented to:

• Jane Katherine Barkholz, daughter of William Barkholz, Case Manager for U.S. District Judge John O’Meara. She will graduate from Mason High School in June and will study public policy and environmental stability at George Washington University.

• Matthew Sean Flood, son of Crystal Flood, Administrative Assistant to Deputy Court Administrator Maureen Flavin. He graduated from Stevenson High School in 2015 and is studying supply chain management at Wayne State University.

• Destiny Rachael Matthews, daughter of Jodi Matthews, Court Reporter for U.S. District Judge Laurie Michelson. Destiny graduated from Mercy High School in 2016 and is studying nursing at Madonna University.

• Chelsea Lynn Southard, daughter of Richard Rogala, senior U.S. probation officer. She graduated from Summit Academy North High School in 2016, attends Michigan State University’s Department of Animal Science with plans to become a veterinarian. She works at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center.

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