Incoming JD students will soon benefit from the generosity of the parents and classmates of Madison Crich, Law’17. An admissions bursary is being established in memory of Crich, who had a promising future in law but unfortunately passed away after her first year of studies.
The Law Students’ Society, on behalf of the Law’16 and Law’17 classes, joined the Crich family in contributing funds to create the Madison Crich Memorial Award. Recipients will be chosen on the basis of demonstrated financial need, academic achievement and involvement in community activities.
The award is a fitting tribute to Crich, say her friends and classmates. “Madison was an integral member of [our small section class],” Stefani Wesley, Law’17, told Juris Diction in 2015. “She was a kind, positive and an incredibly smart young woman.”
Crich was raised in a small village near Ottawa, Ontario, where she developed a passion for horses – she was a competitive rider with the Ottawa Area Dressage Group and actively participated with the Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa-Carleton (TROtt) – and then for the law. That passion took off with her undergrad studies at Carleton University and was blossoming in her first year at Queen’s. Her career goal was to prosecute criminal law cases as a Crown attorney. She was driven to make a difference living by the values that make the world a better place.
Following Senate approval, the first bursary will be given in August. For each of the next five years, a student entering first-year law at Queen’s will receive a Crich award in the amount of $2,500.
“It’s a testament to her character that in such a short time Madison left such an indelible mark on all of us,” said Justin Martin, Law’17, in a 2015 interview with Juris Diction. “Long after we graduate from Queen’s Law and have settled into our careers, we’ll be able to fondly remember the great times we had in the all too short time we had known her.”
A sentiment expressed by Stefani Wesley is sure to resonate with her Law’17 classmates on Convocation Day on June 9 and beyond: “I know Madison will be watching over us and cheering us on.”
Contributions to top up the amount of the annual Madison Crich Memorial Award can be made online at http://www.givetoqueens.ca/Madison.
By Lisa Graham