Community Foundation of Puerto Rico (FCPR) and the Bar Admission Fund of the Federal Court established a scholarship fund that will benefit 12 law students over a three-year period.
San Juan | October 2, 2025 | The Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF) and the Bar Admission Fund of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (Federal Court) announced today the signing of a collaborative agreement for the creation of the Federal Bench and Bar Scholarship Fund, a scholarship fund that seeks to honor the life and legacy of two historic Puerto Rican judicial figures, Judges Juan R. Torruella and Carmen C. Cerezo.
The fund will be divided into two sub-funds: the Judge Juan R. Torruella Scholarship and the Judge Carmen C. Cerezo Scholarship, each awarding two scholarships, for a total of four scholarships during this first year to law students in Puerto Rico, studying in law schools or law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.
“With the establishment of these scholarships, the Federal Court honors Judges Juan R. Torruella and Carmen C. Cerezo, two pioneering jurists of the federal judiciary on the island, and reaffirms its commitment to education. My fellow judges and I hope that the example of these pioneers, and this material assistance, will inspire and strengthen the next generations of lawyers who will apply to the court,” said the Hon. Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach, Chief Judge of the Federal Court.
Judge Juan R. Torruella was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 1974 by President Gerald Ford and served as Chief Judge of that Court from 1982 to 1984. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, becoming the first Puerto Rican to be appointed to a federal appeals court. He served there for thirty-eight years, including as Chief Judge from 1994 to 2001. In addition to his distinguished judicial career, Judge Torruella was an academic, writer and Olympic athlete in the sport of sailing, representing Puerto Rico in several editions of the Olympic Games. Author of numerous books and articles, among them The Supreme Court and Puerto Rico: The Doctrine of Separate and Unequal, He also cultivated interests in music and painting. His career reflects a life dedicated to law, education and public service.
Judge Carmen Consuelo Cerezo was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter, becoming the first Hispanic woman to serve as a district judge in the entire federal judiciary. In 1993, she made history by becoming the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as Chief Judge of the District Court. Judge Cerezo distinguished herself for her deep knowledge of the law, her strong character, and her great integrity. In addition to her judicial duties, she chaired the District Court's Continuing Education Committee from 2006 until her retirement on February 28, 2021. In that role, he was dedicated to enriching the professional education of lawyers.
The The signing of the agreement marked a new stage of collaboration between the judicial and philanthropic sectors for the benefit of legal education on the island. “This agreement reflects the power of philanthropic collaboration to open pathways for new generations. Honoring Judge Juan R. Torruella and Judge Carmen C. Cerezo through these scholarships not only preserves their legacy, but also supports the future of students who will continue to defend justice in Puerto Rico,” said Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats, president and chief executive officer of the FCPR.
Through the FCPR, donors have contributed to the development of Puerto Rican communities for the past 40 years. Individuals, families, corporations and foundations have found in the FCPR a reliable philanthropic ally to turn into reality their desire to support the causes they are passionate about through the establishment, custody and administration of philanthropic funds.
Currently, the FCPR administers 108 philanthropic funds. As a result, in 2024, 377 scholarships were awarded to students and 71 grants to non-profit organizations, with an investment exceeding $2,100,000.