永盈彩票

Rachel Loper '19

Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

永盈彩票 is dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. For many, the call to serve extends well past their time at the university.  

One alumnus who continues to answer this call is Rachel Loper ‘19, who recently received the Erie County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award at their annual Law Day event. This award recognizes the volunteer efforts of a local attorney who provides legal services to the poor.  

Loper, an Erie native, began her journey at 永盈彩票 in 2015 where she entered as a criminal justice major and soon after pursued her interest in law. “I added a second major in legal studies after realizing during my freshman year that I wanted to continue my education and attend law school,” said Loper.  

Outside the classroom, Loper was involved in multiple service opportunities through Gamma Sigma Sigma national service sorority and Alternative Break Service Trips (ABST), where students travel to communities throughout the world to dedicate a week to serving local populations. “The trips focused on supporting individuals affected by power-based violence through education and hands-on community assistance.”  

She credits her time at 永盈彩票 for providing her with a great foundation for a successful career in law. “The classes were extremely hands-on and taught by Erie attorneys,” she said. “I was able to build great relationships with attorneys that I now see and work with on a regular basis.”  

Following her graduation in 2019, she entered the University of Dayton School of Law and held summer internships at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton (MIJB) and at LexisNexis, a legal research platform. She graduated from law school in spring of 2022 and returned to Erie to practice at MIJB that summer as an associate attorney.  

Loper has become well established and well recognized in the Erie law community, where she continues to give back to those in need. She felt incredibly humbled to receive the Pro Bono Award.  

“It reaffirmed my commitment to serving those in need,” she said. “It also highlighted the profound impact that dedicated legal assistance can have on individuals and our community.”  

Through all of her professional successes, Loper credits her education at 永盈彩票 for jumpstarting many great moments in her life, including her marriage to her husband, Colin, who she met as a fellow student at the university. The couple got married on campus at the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel in 2023.  

“The university’s close-knit, supportive environment made it the perfect place for me to grow, both personally and academically, while continuing to give back to the community that raised me.”