Catholic Law's Student Scholars Series presented its second installment on February 14 with a presentation by Mckenzie Mixon (3L). Her scholarship, entitled "“Tap” into Clean and Safe Water: A Look into the Future of Underinvested Water Infrastructure in Region 4 ," examined the challenges in accessing federal funding for environmental justice communities burdened by underfunded water infrastructure. Alexandra Dunn '94, President & CEO of CropLife America provided the response to Mixon's presentation.

In her abstract, Mixon notes that under the Biden Administration, federal funding for environmental justice communities burdened by underfunded water infrastructure became a key priority in national policy. However, accessing these resources remains a challenge in EPA Region 4. The historical and contextual foundations of environmental justice and water infrastructure issues in the United States. It examines how, and whether, funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law address these barriers. Two case studies in Jackson, Mississippi, and Lowndes County, Alabama are used to illustrate the real-world impact of systemic underinvestment. The Comment concludes cautiously optimistic, noting that while challenges remain, new programs offer hope for meaningful reform.

The Columbus School of Law Student Scholars Series was instituted in 2009 to recognize notable legal scholarship produced by members of the student body during the academic year and to foster the skills associated with presenting and defending that scholarship in a professional conference-style setting.

Below is a recording of the February 14 program.