Students in the Class of December 2017 and their families celebrated outstanding academic performance, pro bono work, and service to the law school in a ceremony on the eve of their graduation from Elon Law's highly experiential 2.5-year program.
Elon University School of Law welcomed dozens of students and their families to its downtown Greensboro law library for a Friday evening awards program and reception hosted as part of Commencement weekend for the Class of December 2017.
Faculty and staff lauded the graduating class for student achievement both in and out of the classroom, presenting awards for participation in such organizations as the Elon Law Review and the Mock Trial program, and their service to the community through the Pro Bono Board and clinical programs.
Awards also recognized student dedication to Elon Law through volunteer efforts and class leadership roles.
Elon Law Dean Luke Bierman, in welcoming remarks to students and families, reminded students of the “3 S’s” he shared when they arrived for the start of law school. Be smart. Be savvy. And embrace serendipity.
“Don’t be afraid to try something different, to veer from you ‘plans,'” Bierman said. “That is what makes life fun and interesting – discovering what you never knew was possible by keeping an open mind to new ideas.”
The evening featured a welcome to the Elon Law Alumni Association from Andrea Davis L’12, as well as a presentation of the class gift, offered to Bierman by Alexandra Haile and Bronte Anelli in the Class of December 2017. The gift of more tha $600 will benefit the Michael L. Rich Memorial Award for Excellence in Criminal Law Studies. Rich, who taught criminal law during the students’ first year, died in December 2016 following a lengthy illness.
Davis described for students how the Alumni Association will be a lifelong resource from which to network, seek advice, and make new friendships with other Elon Law graduates who share common experiences.
“Go out and be the best attorneys and best advocates that you can be,” Davis said. “Together, we can do anything and everything we want to do.”
Student Honors for the Class of December 2017
ADVOCACY AWARDS
Trial Advocacy Board
Shavonn Noland Bennette
Nicole Elizabeth Collier
Shanelle Katherine Edmonds
Morgan E. Metzger
Aarin Kristin-Wyatt Miles
Stratton L. Stone
Ashley Williams
Moot Court
Nathan E. Akers
Christopher R. Anderson
Anika Ifetayo Bailey
Whitney D. Baker
Trisha Lynn Barfield
Paula Marie Booth
Tiffany M. Fitzgerald
Alexandra Cranston Haile
Brittany Amanda Hart
Lauren Danielle Hossfeld
Ryne Joshua Kochan
Jenna Lynn Markwitz
Gabriel E. Mirabelli
Caitlin Anne Mitchell
Andreas James Mosby
Justin Alan Moulin
Jaylyn Dallas Noble
Suzanne Marie Patinella
Nicholas Joseph Patrick
Madeline Anita Turpen
Melissa Lee Watkins
Janelle Eileen Wendorf
Amy Elizabeth Wert
Michael Alan Yoder
The Order of Barristers
Christopher R. Anderson
Trisha Lynn Barfield
Shavonn Noland Bennette
Shanelle Katherine Edmonds
Aarin Kristin-Wyatt Miles
Jaylyn Dallas Noble
Melissa Lee Watkins
Janelle Eileen Wendorf
Amy Elizabeth Wert
Ashley Williams
NC Advocates for Justice Student Advocacy Award
Melissa Lee Watkins
International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award
Aarin Kristin-Wyatt Miles
LEGAL RESEARCH & WRITING
Elon Law Business Journal
Peter N. McClelland
Creshenole Nicole Opata
Suzanne Marie Patinella
Racquel Monique Richards
Kalie Lauren Chumley
Morgan E. Metzger
Elon Law Review
Britney Michelle Boles
Rachel K. Stariha
Caitlin Anne Mitchell
Jessica Eunkyo Chong
Andreas James Mosby
Gabriel E. Mirabelli
Stephanie Ann Pazulski
Christopher Bernardo Hall
Jaylyn Dallas Noble
Veronica Rachel Townsend
Peter N. McClelland
Melissa Lee Watkins
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Academic Teaching Fellows
Peter N. McClelland
Gabriel E. Mirabelli
Caitlin Anne Mitchell
Rachel K. Stariha
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal for Excellence
Emily Barr Andrews
North Carolina Chapter AAML Award
Morgan E. Metzger
ALI-CLE Award
Creshenole Nicole Opata
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Constitutional Law Studies
Shane Parnell McGrath
Michael L. Rich Memorial Award for Excellence in Criminal Law Studies
Nicholas Joseph Patrick
SERVICE AWARDS
National Association of Woman Lawyers Recognition
Aarin Kristin-Wyatt Miles
NCBA Pro Bono Recognition Awards
Bronte M. Anelli
Whitney D. Baker
Shavonn Noland Bennette
Anthony L. Campbell
Brittany Amanda Hart
Lauren Danielle Hossfeld
Drew Nicholas Kelly
Liliane Rebecca Long
Aarin Kristin-Wyatt Miles
Gheisha-Ly Rosario Diaz
Eboni Nichelle Thompson
Madeline Anita Turpen
Ashley Williams
Phyniques Tarnisha Williams
NC State Bar Student Pro Bono Award
Lauren Danielle Hossfeld
CLEA’s Outstanding Student Award
Liliane Rebecca Long
Elon Law Distinguished Service Award
Drew Nicholas Kelly
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Andy Haile
Professor of Law at the Elon University School of Law
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Alan Woodlief
Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Law
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Catherine Dunham
Professor of Law at the Elon University School of Law
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Heather Scavone
Director of the Humanitarian Immigration Law Clinic and Assistant Professor of Law
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Luke Bierman
Professor of Law and Dean Emeritx at the Elon University School of Law