Be the Reason: Meet Faith Whatley-Blaine (A&S ’23)
Saint Louis University School of Law Student
Faith Whatley-Blaine (A&S ’23) chose Saint Louis University’s School of Law for two primary reasons: generous scholarships that are essential to making her graduate education accessible and affordable, and SLU’s unwavering commitment to its motto, “Higher Purpose. Greater Good.”
“When deciding where to study law, attending a Jesuit university was important because I want to give back to the community and be a changemaker,” said Whatley-Blaine, who has received the dean’s award. “As a first-generation law student, SLU’s scholarships were the decisive factor in my decision.”
The generosity of SLU donors is helping Whatley-Blaine graduate with less student debt, allowing her to prioritize her goal of helping others instead of choosing a concentration based solely on income, she said.
An Investment in Education
Grounded in the Jesuit principles of caring for the whole person and social justice, Whatley-Blaine earned her bachelor’s degree in English from SLU in 2023 and is currently in her third year of studies at SLU LAW. After graduating in May 2026 and passing the bar exam, she hopes to advocate for individuals whose voices have been silenced.
She said that her involvement in SLU’s Moot Court Program, which teaches students appellate advocacy skills, and her recent internship as a summer clerk with the MacArthur Justice Center, have prepared her well for a career in public service.
“I firmly believe that education is one of the best investments a person can make, but many individuals don't have the capital to take that initial step, and it remains a dream,” she said. “Scholarships bridge that gap, giving people the chance to attain their education, imagine a better life for themselves and give back to the community.”
Whatley-Blaine said she values SLU’s rigorous education and hands-on legal opportunities, which have taught her how to empower clients with the skills they need to represent themselves during parole hearings and access resources for self-advocacy.
Freedom to Fight for Others
She said she also gained critical insight into the importance of post-conviction civil rights during a recent trip to the Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City, Missouri, where attorneys litigated a case addressing the need for air conditioning in prisons to alleviate hazardous heat-related conditions inmates face. Lessons like that have helped affirm her desire to advocate for marginalized populations and be a source of hope, she said.
“These experiences taught me that there can be a light in the world, and I can be that light for other people and create tangible change,” she said. “It has been truly impactful work. There's no question in my mind that without scholarships, I would not be able to even think of having this education."