Redefining what it means to be a great national public law school

$2 million endowment to transform international legal education

Dear alumni and friends,

I am pleased to share news of the establishment of a $2 million endowment to support School of Law students participating in international experiences or study abroad opportunities. 

The Captain George N. and Norma D. Larocque Endowment was created through a partnership of the George N. Larocque Revocable Trust and the University of Georgia Foundation.

The lead endowment gift of $1 million was made in memory of Capt. George N. and Norma D. Larocque, who proudly served and represented their country at home and abroad for approximately 30 years, according to Grady H. Williams Jr.

Capt. Larocque

A 1982 UGA Law grad, Williams served as the trustee of Capt. Larocque’s estate and studied foreign affairs and international law under then-UGA Law faculty members Dean Rusk, who was a former U.S. Secretary of State, and Louis B. Sohn, who helped draft the charter of the United Nations.   

“I believe George and Norma would be delighted to be furthering the education, development and experience of UGA Law students internationally,” Williams said. “While they did not leave a family of descendants, they did leave a legacy of volunteerism, caring and giving to their community and beyond.”

This philanthropic partnership, coming as we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dean Rusk International Law Center, will significantly expand international opportunities for our law students and contribute to our tradition of excellence in international law. In our increasingly interconnected world, it is more important than ever for our students to have opportunities to learn about – and in some cases immerse themselves in – different countries, cultures and legal systems. For example, more students will be able to participate in the international initiatives administered by the Rusk Center, including studying abroad through the decades-old Global Governance Summer School, gaining hands-on learning experience in legal settings across the world through  Global Externships Overseas and learning in some of the best law schools worldwide through bilateral exchanges.

The funding this endowment provides will be transformative, as it lessens one of the greatest barriers for our students in pursuing global opportunities: cost. It is anticipated that the first monetary awards from this fund will be granted during the 2028-29 academic year.

I am grateful to the Larocques, Grady Williams and the UGA Foundation, which provided $1 million in match funding, for their support of UGA Law. Together, they are allowing the UGA School of Law to continue to redefine what it means to be a great national public law school by expanding access to literally a world-class education.

I look forward to seeing the places and experiences our law students will pursue for learning and professional growth.     

Sincerely,

Usha R. Rodrigues
Dean, University Professor &
Kilpatrick Chair of Corporate Finance and Securities Law

Capt. George Larocque was designated as a naval flight officer in 1953 and was presented with the inaugural Gray Owl Award by Grumman Aerospace in 1979 for being the longest-tenured NFO on active duty. His other honors include the National Order of Merit (Grade of Commander French) and Order of Orange-Nassau (Grade of Knight Commander Dutch).  Prior to his retirement from active duty in 1982, he served as a naval attaché in The Hague. He passed away in 2025 at the age of 96.

Norma Larocque, whose maiden name was Duckworth, was one of the first students to graduate from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was a golfer and a collector of Hummel figurines and volunteered her time and services to various local entities over the years. She died in 2009.

Pictured above are 2026 Global Governance Summer School participants outside The Peace Palace, which is home to the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration and is located in The Hague.

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