Megan Adams, a first year student at Rutgers Law School, is the first to admit that her parents and upbringing played a role in her decision to attend Rutgers Law. What she didn’t realize until she got to campus was how close she’d feel to her late grandmother, who worked at the law library for 25 years until her retirement in 2004.
Adams’ father, an attorney, introduced her to the legal world at a young age and ultimately inspired her to follow in his footsteps. When the time came for her to choose a law school, she eagerly seized the opportunity to stay local. "I haven’t lived at home since I graduated high school, and having the opportunity to move back in with my mom, spend time with my family, and have their support was one of the biggest reasons I chose Rutgers,” she says, adding that her mother also earned her business degree on the Camden campus. “It’s made a world of difference knowing I have love and support - and a home-cooked meal! - and I couldn’t be more grateful."
In addition to her parents, Adams cherishes the significant role her grandmother played in her upbringing. "As my grandma got older, she would split time between her children’s houses, so I spent most of my childhood very connected to her," Adams recalls. As it turns out, that connection would be revived when she arrived on Rutgers’ Camden campus as a law student.
Theresa Trakimas, former Camden law librarian and grandmother of 1L Megan Adams
It was 1979 when Adam’s grandmother, Theresa Trakimas, was hired as a clerk at the Rutgers-Camden Law School Library. While her formal duties included tasks like checking out books and managing the library's opening and closing, her nurturing and compassionate demeanor transformed her into a "Rutgers grandmother" for many students, providing encouragement and comfort during stressful times.
Even though two decades have passed since Trakimas's employment at the library, her presence lingers in the memories of longstanding employees, fostering a deep connection for Adams. "The first year of law school can be a scary time,” says Adams, “but the library is a comforting place to me now, knowing there are people here who remember my grandma and who are rooting for me."
There's no doubt that Trakimas would be immensely proud of her granddaughter today, in no small part because of her ambitions to give back through her future legal career. "My grandmother was someone who was very committed to the community, worked as a volunteer, and was constantly trying to put good into the world," Adams says. "While I haven’t yet decided on what area of law I want to pursue, my ultimate goal as a lawyer is to create change and help people."