by Jared Zimmerman

Over the past academic year, I have had the pleasure of working as a Research Assistant with the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) in my role as a Murphy Scholar with the Terrance J. Murphy Institute for Catholic Thought, Law, and Business (Murphy Institute). The JRLC is an interfaith public policy advocacy group which represents the shared public policy goals of Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and Muslims. One of its central aims is to repeal or modify laws that penalize individuals for marrying—laws that, intentionally or not, discourage people from entering into this lifelong commitment. The JRLC chose this because the right to marry is not only a fundamental right recognized by the Supreme Court of the United States, but also because of the positive outcomes from entering into legally recognized marriages, such as certain tax benefits and increases in happiness.

A significant hurdle to people marrying was identified by the JRLC, during the 2023-2024 Minnesota Legislative Session. Specifically, the  JRLC addressed and changed legislation that took food assistance away from people who married. Continuing this work, the JRLC asked its Murphy Scholar research assistants to identify other unjust laws that similarly targeted those who married or wished to marry.

After researching various Minnesota statutes and agency policies, I found a provision within the Minnesota GI Bill. Under current law, if the surviving spouse of a deceased military member remarries, they lose the government-assisted tuition benefits earned by their deceased spouse. In other words, choosing to remarry means forfeiting educational benefits tied to a loved one’s service and sacrifice. I proposed amending the current law, which is now incorporated into Minnesota Senate File (SF) 1959 and Minnesota House File (HF) 2444. My proposed change, which is going for a vote during the 2025-2026 MN Legislative session, allows surviving spouses to remarry without losing their access to tuition assistance.

This issue wasn’t chosen at random. It addressed a clear injustice, and it held political viability—a key factor in any advocacy effort. This topic was chosen because it: (1) addressed a discriminatory action against individuals wishing to become married and (2) it is difficult for legislators to justify being elected if they vote against the spouses of deceased service members who are simply seeking an education. But beyond political calculations, this experience reminded me that real change requires more than good policy—it requires humility, understanding, and a willingness to meet people where they are.

Policy change is often slow and incremental. Yet in this work, I found myself guided by the wisdom of Scripture—especially St. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:19–22, where he calls us to “become all things to all people” and meet others where they are. For example, amending the Minnesota GI Bill meets people where they are by recognizing and responding with charity and fairness to the challenges faced by surviving spouses of deceased service members. This does not mean to stop zealously advocating for what is true and moral, but being realistic with what it is you are attempting to accomplish. What public policy you advocate for and how you do it looks different depending where you are. For example, how you advocate in Minnesota may look different compared to advocating in Alabama or California.

We want things to take place immediately, and this is a worthy desire, however, as St. Paul writes, we need to meet people where they are. This means listening to people’s concerns, attempting to dissuade and persuade them to why it is you are advocating for a righteous piece of public policy and they should too. When that fails, and it inevitably will at some point, is when we have to compromise and show radical love. Only God knows why things happen the way they do, and while it can be absolutely frustrating, any step forward is a step towards righteous change.

Never stop fighting to uphold the dignity of others—but do not forget the timeless wisdom of St. Paul: meeting people where they are. Meeting people where they are and becoming “all things to all people” has been the greatest privilege of my time with the JRLC.

Jared Zimmerman is a Murphy Scholar and 2L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in the JD/CSMA program.

“Student Perspective” is a recurring blog series which highlights the various activities of the Murphy Scholar graduate students during their fellowship.

by Jack Frundt

In March, the Murphy Scholars hosted a clothing drive on the Law School campus. We were able to collect about 10 bags of clothing items. We delivered the donations to Closet of Hope, a ministry located at the Bloomington Covenant Church. Closet of Hope started in 2012 when a high school student and his mom would make meals for people in downtown Minneapolis. They noticed the biggest need that people faced was CLOTHING. Today, the Closet of Hope is open to anyone in the public one Saturday each month. They currently have three rooms full of clothing for women, men, and children. Four of the Murphy Scholars Fellows spent a Saturday morning in March helping the mother who founded Closet of Hope sort clothes, fold socks, and chat about the amazing people who they’ve supported with their ministry.

This is the first service that the Murphy Scholars has done as part of our “Works of Mercy” series. We hope to continue our relationship with Closet of Hope, and to continue finding more ways to spread the love of Christ.

To learn more about the Closet of Hope ministry, visit their website.

Jack Frundt is a Murphy Scholar and 1L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in the JD/CSMA program.

“Student Perspective” is a recurring blog series which highlights the various activities of the Murphy Scholar graduate students during their fellowship.

My first encounter with the Murphy Scholar program was the dedication of an icon of St. Josephine Bakhita hosted by the Murphy Institute during my first semester of law school. The dedication began with a beautiful Mass where the priest gave a homily on how we can strive to be more like the saints. A presentation followed featuring a criminal law professor who spoke on her experience in human trafficking cases, providing valuable insight to the life of St. Bakhita, the patron saint of human trafficking victims. On an elevator ride down with Professor Gregory Sisk after the event, he asked if I would be interested in deepening my Catholic faith along with my legal education as a Murphy Scholar fellow with the Murphy Institute. I knew I could not pass up on that opportunity. Soon after, I had an interview with the Institute co-directors Professor Sisk and Dr. David Deavel, and the program manager Michelle Rash, and I found myself in the unique position of becoming a Murphy Scholar. That same semester, I attended a Mass and shared a meal with peers that shared the same values and ideals about how our Catholic faith can be a part of our work as future lawyers.  I knew it would be the start of my journey to become a Catholic lawyer.

In my nearly three years of being a Murphy Scholar, I have been privileged to attend events pertaining to wide range of topics, including embryos, abortion, freedom of religion, religious liberty, and healthcare.  I’ve had the opportunity to partake in events like the dedication of an icon of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the Catholic Studies 30th Anniversary Gala and engaging in lively debate and discussion with my peers at formation nights. Perhaps the most memorable of the events that I have participated in during my time as a Murphy Scholar are the “Hot Topics: Cool Talk” programs that the Institute hosts every year. The “Hot Topics: Cool Talk” series features two legal scholars engaging in a spirited, yet civil discussion about a legal topic. Many of the topics that have been featured in the past included gun ownership and qualified immunity, which have opened my perspective on these hot button issues.

During my second year, I was able to attend a dinner with the two speakers for the “Hot Topics: Cool Talk” program, “Qualified Immunity: What is It? And is It Good or Bad Policy?” featuring Professor Sisk and Professor Christopher Walker from the University of Michigan. During our conversation, we discovered that both Professor Sisk and Professor Walker shared a similar background even with their differing viewpoints – both men worked for the Civil Appellate Staff at the Department of Justice, and both were clerks for judges in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The idea of bringing different viewpoints together in the same place speaks to the delicate balance that comes from being a Catholic lawyer.

As a future lawyer, I am called to be a zealous, competent advocate for my clients with the sole focus of “being a lawyer,” which can mean either prosecuting someone for committing a crime or keeping someone out of jail. As a Catholic, I am called to walk the path of Jesus, to act in way that is compassionate and respects the dignity of all human beings, no matter what walk of life they come from. As a Catholic lawyer, my responsibility is to be a knowledgeable practitioner that can look at a defendant or client and understand that they are created in the image and likeness of God. I have a moral obligation to respect the dignity of every person in the courtroom – from the defendant to the judge, from opposing counsel to the law clerk, and anyone else who is part of the administration of the justice system. Being a Catholic lawyer means that I see the humanity in the client, opposing counsel, and the judge, which allows me to find solutions that work to bring someone into the image and likeliness of God that we are all called to be.

As I prepare to take the bar exam and look towards the future of a legal career here in Minnesota, I am eternally grateful that Professor Sisk took a chance on me and asked me to join the Murphy Scholars program. I am grateful for all the experiences and knowledge that I have received during my time as a fellow, and I look forward to being engaged as a proud alumnus of the University of St. Thomas School of Law and the Murphy Institute.

Tomy Vettukallel is a 2024 graduate of the University St. Thomas School of Law and alum of the Murphy Scholars program.

“Student Perspective” is a recurring blog series which highlights the various activities of the Murphy Scholar graduate students during their fellowship.