The sons of John T. (’68) and Tracey Cox have made a gift to the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center to establish a non-endowed scholarship in honor of the Shreveport couple. Trey and Stephen Cox made the gift in recognition of the legacy and values their parents instilled in them.
Over the next eight years, the John and Tracey Cox Scholarship will cover roughly half of one LSU Law student’s tuition for an academic year. Tuition and fees for in-state students now top $24,000 per year.
“Law school is a dream that many students can only achieve through the generosity of supporters like the Cox family, and we are deeply grateful for this gift,” said LSU Law Dean Alena M. Allen. “The John T. and Tracey Cox Scholarship is more than just a tribute to John and Tracey—it’s a lifeline that will lift the financial weight off the shoulders of future LSU Law students, empowering them to focus on their studies, their dreams, and their futures.”
John earned his bachelor’s degree at LSU in 1965 before earning his law degree from LSU Law in 1968 and graduating as a member of The Order of the Coif. In 1970, he joined the law firm of Blanchard, Walker, and O’Quin in Shreveport (now known as Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts), where he continues to practice today.
John has long been an active leader in the Shreveport community. He is a past president of both the Shreveport Bar Association and The Committee of 100, a nonprofit whose members include the highest-ranking local business executives and professional enterprises in northwest Louisiana. He has also served as chair of the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, and as a board member for Holiday in Dixie, The Shreveport Symphony, and Northwest Louisiana Legal Services Inc. John is a recipient of the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation George Washington Medal.
John has remained engaged with LSU Law by being a Dean’s Council member and serving on the Northwest Louisiana Forever LSU Campaign Steering Committee for the Law Center. He was also instrumental in helping the firm establish one of the Law Center’s first endowed scholarships.
“Through it all, John attributes his success and ability to give back to the unwavering support of his wife Tracey, his partner in all things,” Dean Allen said as she officially announced the creation of the scholarship to those gathered for the annual Hats ’n Canes Toast that took place as part of the All-Alumni Tailgate on Saturday, Sept. 21. John and Tracey were on hand for the celebration, and after being presented with certificates by the dean they were cheered on by LSU Law students, staff, faculty, and alumni, including John’s longtime colleague, Judge Eugene Bryson (’69), and his wife, Charlotte.
“We are extremely blessed and proud to have two wonderful and successful sons,” John said. “They have wonderful families of their own and they continue to take great care of us. But this gesture is truly a signal of honor. Tracey and I are overwhelmed by their love and generosity.”
Tracey graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1966 from the College of Human Sciences and Education at LSU, where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. After teaching first grade for several years, Tracey became a Certified Academic Language Therapist to work with students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning disabilities. She has worked with students in the Learning Lab at First Baptist Church School in Shreveport for more than 40 years. Tracey is an accredited member of the Academic Language Therapy Association and a member of the International Dyslexia Association. She is also a lifetime member of both the Shreveport Symphony Guild and the Shreveport Opera Guild and serves as an Elder at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church.
The John and Tracey Cox Scholarship is among several scholarships recently established that will allow the Law Center to expand its scope and scale of scholarship awards. Other scholarships that were recently established include:
- The Jones Downer Family Scholarship
- The Professor Cheney Cleveland Joseph J. Scholarship
- Amos Oelking Scholarship
- Carey J. Messina Scholarship