Planned gift from alumnus provides $1.25 million for law student scholarships

Plus Lifetime Income for Family

Russell Jura ’70, J.D. ’74, is a double Aggie whose UC Davis education led him to a successful career at Yamaha Motor Corporation USA – and then what he calls a restful retirement.

To give thanks, Jura has given an additional $1.25 million to fund the Russell D. Jura Scholarship at UC Davis School of Law, which he established in 2004 to assist students with tuition and fees.

“My goal with the scholarship is to allow students to receive a legal education without having to worry financially,” Jura said.

This time, Jura arranged his gift as a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT), a planned-gift structure that will provide a lifetime income stream for his daughter upon his death. 

A CRUT provides donors and named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets given to the trust created, and then the remainder of the trust is given to a charitable cause.

“How people give money is very dependent on their individual circumstances. I chose to give through a CRUT because it met my specific goals for supporting my daughter as well as future law students at Davis,” Jura said.  

Jura chooses to give to UC Davis Law School because his education there allowed him to start his career as an in-house attorney at Yamaha Motor Corporation USA upon graduation. He quickly rose in the ranks to serve as senior vice president and general counsel.

He hopes other students can use his scholarship money to get the same head start despite rising costs.

“Unfortunately, the tuition for law school keeps shooting up and up,” Jura said. “Through the scholarship, I want students to concentrate on succeeding in their legal careers.”

Fifteen law students have received the Russell D. Jura Scholarship to date. Each year, Jura receives a letter from the recipient expressing gratitude. He enjoys reading these letters as a reminder that a real person is benefitting from his gift.

“I always write back with two pieces of advice – one, I want them to responsibly and honorably practice the law; and two, I ask them to give back when they have the opportunity, just like how I am helping them,” Jura said.