It’s common for children to follow in a parent’s footsteps by attending their alma mater. But attending the same law school at the same time is much more unique. At the College of Law, father-daughter duo Scott and Lauren Deutsch are making pursuing a J.D. a family activity.
“We’re not just a 1L and 2L—we’re father and daughter,” says Scott, who is in his second year of his studies in the JDinteractive (JDi) program, Syracuse’s fully online law degree program.
Scott is a veteran of the U.S. Army, retiring as a captain after serving both as enlisted and an officer.
With specialties in accounting and finance, Scott’s career in the Army brought him and his family all over the world, from Fort Bragg in North Carolina to Landstuhl, Germany and beyond. “I enjoyed my time in the military and appreciate the close-knit group of people,” Scott says about his experience. “The Army taught me the art of task management and instilled discipline in me. I was afforded the opportunity to take on various levels of responsibility at a very young age that a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do.”
As the daughter of a veteran, Lauren appreciates Syracuse’s commitment to veterans, military service members and their families. “My dad risked his life to give me the freedom to do what I’m doing today, and I appreciate the fact that Syracuse really cherishes its veterans and the dependents of veterans,” she says. For Scott, he sees this commitment embodied in the new National Veterans Resource Center. “It’s a major point of pride and you see why veterans are drawn to campus,” he says. “How can you not be proud? As a student, how can you walk by the building without an incredible sense of pride that this university supports and embraces veterans?”