Fall 2025 Winner of the Family First Scholarship

Caleb G. Love

Caleb’s dedication and commitment to service will not only make a difference in the lives of those he serves, but also lay the foundation for a strong future for his daughter. Congratulations, Caleb, we admire your resilience and strong work ethic!

Read his essay here

I didn’t grow up seeing college degrees hanging on the walls at home. In my community, success wasn’t measured by diplomas—it was measured by survival, by staying out of trouble, by getting a job and keeping food on the table. But I always felt a pull toward something more, not because I thought I was better, but because I knew our stories deserved better representation. Still, my decision to pursue higher education wasn’t just about ambition—it was about necessity, for both me and my daughter.

Becoming a father changed everything. Suddenly, every decision I made carried more weight. I wasn’t just building a future for myself anymore; I was shaping the world my daughter would grow up in. I wanted her to see that even when life is hard, even when you start behind the curve, you can still move forward with purpose. I wanted her to know that dreams don’t have expiration dates, and that determination can be louder than doubt. Going to college—first as an education major and now as a law student—is my way of turning those lessons into reality.

Before law school, I returned to teach at the same elementary school I attended as a child. That full-circle moment reminded me why education is so powerful. I saw myself in those students—their curiosity, their energy, and, sadly, their obstacles. Many came from families like mine, where the law was something you feared, not something you understood. I saw parents lose housing, fall into custody battles, or face criminal charges with no legal support. That’s when I realized that teaching wasn’t enough. I needed to be part of the solution in a deeper way. That realization led me to pursue my Juris Doctor at Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Now, I’m ranked in the top 16% of my class with a 3.19 GPA and have earned several academic scholarships. I’ve recently accepted a 2026 Summer Associate position at a major law firm—Alston & Bird—and I am currently interning at Godsey Martin PC and in the 151st Civil District Court in Harris County’s family court. I’ve worked hard to get here, but I haven’t done it alone. My daughter has been with me every step of the way.

Balancing law school and fatherhood hasn’t been easy. I’ve studied for exams with her asleep on my chest. I’ve attended mock trials with her coloring beside me in the back of the classroom. I’ve carried a diaper bag in one hand and a casebook in the other. There have been times when I couldn’t afford childcare and had to rely on classmates and school staff to help. But even through the fatigue, I’ve never lost sight of why I’m doing this. My daughter is my motivation, not my limitation. She gives my goals meaning.

My career goals are centered on service. I want to work in areas that directly impact families like mine—criminal defense in over-policed communities, estate planning for families of color, advocacy for fathers’ rights in family law, and street law education in underserved schools. I’m committed to making the legal system more accessible, more compassionate, and more just. My lived experience gives me a perspective that no textbook can offer, and I believe that’s exactly what the legal profession needs.

A college education has given me the tools to rewrite the narrative for myself and my daughter. It’s shown her that hard work and purpose can overcome even the toughest circumstances. She sees me showing up, even on the hardest days, and I know it’s planting seeds in her that will blossom into self-belief, discipline, and pride. I may not come from a legacy of college graduates, but I’m building one now—one that starts with me and continues through her.

In many ways, I didn’t choose this path; it chose me. The challenges I’ve faced, the people I’ve served, and the daughter I’m raising have all guided me here. I’m not just pursuing a degree—I’m pursuing a life that stands for something. And with each step forward, I hope to show my daughter and others like us that anything is possible.