Eric E. Garvin '10 Student Exploration Fellowship
Established 2023
The Eric E. Garvin '10 Student Exploration Fellowship was created in memory of Eric E. Garvin '10 who loved to travel abroad and loved to help disadvantaged people. It is the hope of Eric’s family and friends that the Garvin Fellowship will inspire future law students to expand their legal education by studying or working abroad to ensure that Eric’s legacy will continue as part of Maryland Carey Law.
Who can apply for funding?
Student who are currently enrolled at Maryland Carey Law and participate in the school’s international externships and the study abroad programs.
How do I apply?
Students interested in applying for this Fellowship must submit a written statement detailing why they should receive the Fellowship to ensure Eric's legacy lives on (up to 500 words). Written statements should be submitted to the International & Comparative Law Program Director. Please note that the selected Fellow’s written statement will be shared with the Garvin family.
Who was Eric E. Garvin?
Eric E. Garvin is a member of the Maryland Carey Law class of 2010. Eric attended Westlake High School in Waldorf, MD and graduated in 2002. He then went on to attend Mercer University in Macon, GA where he pledged the Theta Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and graduated with a B.S. in Political Science in 2006. After college, Eric attended law school at Maryland Carey Law where he was a member of the Moot Court Team and took advantage of the international externships and the foreign study abroad program.
After law school, Eric worked in New York City with former Councilwoman Debi Rose in the Community Engagement Unit. He transitioned to the Office of Criminal Justice under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. One of his first assignments in the mayor’s office was working to reduce violent crime in neighborhoods throughout New York City. Eric was later assigned to the same Brownsville neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY, where he worked with local gang leaders to bring about peace. Eric was a vital part of the anti-violence movement of New York City. After completing his tenure in the Brownsville assignment, he became a vocal critic of the inmate conditions at Rikers Island, where he worked diligently to help prisoners transition back into society.
Traveling was a true passion for Eric as he was constantly on the move, traveling to more than 40 countries. He was intent on exploring as much of the world as possible. In addition to his travels, Eric consistently made helping others a top priority. He epitomized the philosophy of believing in something bigger than himself. Eric fought extensively against injustice as he came from a family who has a rich history of helping others.
Sadly, while traveling in Santiago, Chile, Eric was tragically murdered on January 14, 2023, by two gang members while he attempted to take a photograph of a beautiful mural he noticed across the street from a restaurant where he was eating dinner. Knowing how important it was to Eric to support other people, the Garvin family and friends decided to establish the Eric E. Garvin '10 Student Exploration Fellowship at Maryland Carey Law to ensure Eric’s passion for both traveling and helping others lives on.
How can I support the Eric E. Garvin '10 Student Exploration Fellowship?
Please go to www.law.umaryland.edu/GarvinFund to make a gift. If you have questions about the Fellowship, please contact Andrew Altshuler, Deputy Director of Development, at aaltshuler@law.umaryland.edu.