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Jar on Desk Reminds Law Dean of Migrant Roots

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A piece of orange chalk sits in a jar on the desk of Carl Hernandez, reminding the assistant dean at Brigham Young University’s Reuben Clark Law School of his family’s experience as migrant farm workers.

His grandfather gave him the chalk, along with some pay stubs, before he died, Hernandez explains. “The chalk he used to mark his employee number on the boxes of oranges he picked. The rolled up papers are his pay stubs that he collected from the farms - it’s a constant reminder to me of all that he did to make it possible for me to be here today.”

For more details on Hernandez’ path from farm fields to a law degree and a leading role at the law school, see this BYU newsletter item.

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