Seton Hall Law Announces Three New Endowed Scholarships Ahead of Annual Red Mass

Seton Hall Law School is proud to introduce three new endowed scholarships ahead of the 41st Annual Red Mass on Friday, September 26.

Named in honor of Professor Denis F. McLaughlin, Marie Rose and William James McLaughlin, and alumnus John F. Chiaia ’93, the scholarships embody Seton Hall’s commitment to excellence, integrity and service while supporting the next generation of ethical leaders dedicated to justice and community impact.

Hosted in partnership with the St. Thomas More Society, the Red Mass is a time of prayer and reflection for judges, lawyers, law professors and students. At Seton Hall Law, it also provides an opportunity to recognize those whose dedication to the profession has shaped generations of legal minds. This year’s honorees are Professor Denis McLaughlin and John Chiaia.

"The Red Mass calls us to reflect on our shared commitment to justice and the common good. Few exemplify that spirit more fully than John and Denis, whose service and devotion to Seton Hall Law exemplify the very values this tradition upholds," said Seton Hall Law Dean Ronald Weich.

The John F. Chiaia ’93 Endowed Scholarship

John Chiaia ’93 is a devoted member of the Seton Hall Law community who has served on the Alumni Council since his graduation and currently serves as Immediate Past President.

Chiaia’s enduring commitment to the law school and its alumni inspired his friend and Alumni Council President Marc Calello ’89 to work with Chiaia’s parents, Frank and Catherine Chiaia, to establish this endowed scholarship in his honor.

“This endowed scholarship was both a surprise and an incredible honor. Everyone deserves a true friend like Marc, and I’m grateful to count him as mine,” said Chiaia.

“When we seek to instill an ethos of leadership and professionalism in our future lawyers, when we speak about what it means to be a Seton Hall lawyer, and when we try to define that unique combination of grit and grace, virtue and excellence—all of that is embodied by John,” said Professor Paula Franzese, Peter W. Rodino Professor of Law and Special Counsel for Leadership and Professionalism Initiatives.

In the months ahead, Chiaia will help shape the scholarship by selecting its criteria, ensuring that it reflects the values of service, leadership and community.

The Denis F. McLaughlin Endowed Scholarship

Denis F. McLaughlin, Professor of Law and William E. Garland Fellow, has been with Seton Hall Law for more than 40 years. He began teaching as an adjunct professor in 1984 before joining the full-time faculty in 1987.

The Denis F. McLaughlin Endowed Scholarship was established through the generosity of alumnus Kevin McDonough ’05 and his wife Mattia McDonough. McDonough, a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, credits Professor McLaughlin’s mentorship with shaping his professional path.

McDonough shared, “Professor McLaughlin perfectly epitomizes the values we hold so dear in the Seton Hall Law community—integrity, loyalty and service. He has had a profoundly positive impact on my education and my career, and that is true for so many others as well. The endowed scholarship in his name honors and celebrates Professor McLaughlin’s countless contributions to our community and ensures that his unrivaled legacy will forever continue at Seton Hall.”

“Professor McLaughlin embodies the highest ideals of the legal profession and an unwavering commitment to students,” said Franzese. “This scholarship will extend his legacy by helping future students pursue excellence with the same passion he inspired in all of us.”

This scholarship will provide financial assistance to admitted or current first-generation law students.

The Marie Rose and William James McLaughlin Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Being endowed by Professor Denis F. McLaughlin and his wife Barbara McLaughlin, this scholarship honors the memory of Denis’ parents, Marie Rose and William James McLaughlin, who devoted their lives to their family and to serving others through their professional and community work.

Marie Rose McLaughlin was an elementary school teacher for many years in Madison, N.J., at St. Vincent Martyr School and Central Avenue School. Throughout her life, she was deeply involved in professional, community and church organizations. Among her many leadership recognitions, she was honored as “Woman of the Year” by the Business and Professional Women’s Organization of New Jersey in 1982.

William James McLaughlin graduated from St. John's University School of Law in 1940, and after serving his country in World War II, began a public interest career in federal government service. Like his wife, McLaughlin was very active in many community and church organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the Seeing Eye of Morristown, N.J. and the Holy Name Society of St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison, N.J.

Accordingly, this scholarship will provide financial assistance to admitted or current law students who have experience as educators and/or have a demonstrated interest in working in a public interest capacity for a government or private organization.

When asked about the scholarship, Professor McLaughlin said: “I wanted to create this scholarship to thank my parents for instilling in me the values that I hold most dear. I feel very privileged that I was able to follow a path in life that honored the professions of both my mother and my father.”

Professor McLaughlin and his father regularly attended Seton Hall’s Red Mass together. The last Mass his father attended before his passing in 2000 was in October 1999, where none other than John Chiaia served as a Eucharistic Minister.

A Legacy of Impact

Together, these three scholarships reflect Seton Hall Law’s enduring commitment to access, excellence and community, while honoring extraordinary individuals whose legacies continue to shape the profession and inspire future generations. That commitment is also at the heart of the University’s recently launched comprehensive campaign—For All, Forever—a $225 million effort to prepare tomorrow’s Setonians to realize their greater purpose and lead in their communities. These new endowed scholarships align with one of For All, Forever’s pillars—Preparing Leaders Now—which seeks to make a Seton Hall education accessible to more students who dream of making a difference in their communities.

To learn more, visit www.shu.edu/forallforever.

Categories: Law