Recap: Stetson Law Honors & Awards 2023
Reflecting a spirit of service and commitment to enter the legal profession with robust experience, members of Stetson Law’s 2023 graduating class were recognized for their exceptional work.
Held yearly on the eve of Spring Commencement, the Honors and Awards Ceremony lauds those who have gone above and beyond Stetson Law’s rigorous curriculum and pro bono requirements. This includes participation in a Stetson Law legal journal, going well above the College of Law’s pro bono requirement, honors program participation, advocacy board membership, superior academic performance, and earning a certificate of concentration. (See full video below.)
Outstanding students were also given awards named for key members of the Stetson Law community.
College of Law faculty and leadership commended the graduating students and invited them to remain involved as they build their careers.
“It is my hope that you will remain committed to improving your community, wherever you might be,” said Stetson Law Interim Dean Theresa Pulley Radwan. “Law school not only teaches you to be a lawyer — it also teaches you to be a leader. You defined yourselves as leaders who are dedicated to justice and public service, you have also defined yourselves as leaders with stellar academic achievements.”
Unique challenges, indomitable spirit
Noting that most members of the 2023 graduating class started their law school journey in 2020 – squarely within the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic – Stetson Law Board of Overseers member Tracy Raffles Gunn, who earned her J.D. from Stetson Law in 1993, said it was evident early on that this class shared a common characteristic: “fierce.”
Students challenged themselves and others, she said, and took ownership of their time at Stetson Law in ways that will benefit them as lawyers.
“Please know that the Board and the school are extremely proud of your class and that we are committed to continuing to support you as Stetson Alumni,” Gunn said. “I hope that you will consider your Board of Overseers and your Law Alumni groups to be a resource for you.”
Noting their next set of challenges, passing the bar and launching their careers, she encouraged them to keep in touch with their alma mater.
“We want you to stay involved with the school. I hope you will share your knowledge and experience with the Stetson students who come after you in whatever way fits your time and passions,” Gunn said. “It’s going to be your turn to be the mentors, coaches, guest speakers and competition judges. You have a lot to offer.”
In Photos: Honors & Awards 2023
Prestigious awards bestowed
At the ceremony’s culmination, the focus turned toward three students whose activity and performance were so exceptional that they were recognized with the three most prestigious named awards: The Walter Mann Award, The Dean’s Excellence Award, and The Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award.
The Walter Mann Award, which recognizes a student who has shown the greatest promise of becoming an outstanding leader in the legal profession, was given to Nancy Eriksen, a student veteran whose past recognition includes a national award for women in the white collar field. The Dean’s Excellence Award, which honors a graduating student who has given extraordinary service to Stetson University College of Law, was given to Student Bar Association President Blake Radford.
At the request of the Foreman family, special guest Kathryn Christian, a 2006 graduate and past recipient of the Edward D. Foreman Most Distinguished Student Award, presented that award to Kathryn Alkire. Heavily involved on campus, Alkire served as the Stetson Law Review editor-in-chief for the 2022-2023 academic year. As the award’s recipient, her name has been cast in bronze and is being secured to the plaque outside of the Great Hall. She will also be given a $5,000 check as part of the award.
Alkire said she was “honored and humbled” to receive the award, adding that she and her classmates now have a “tremendous opportunity” to have a positive impact – just as the award’s namesake and his wife, Bonnie Foreman, had over their lifetimes.
As the event drew to a close, Interim Dean Radwan once again commended the graduated students for their exemplary commitment to the values at the core of Stetson Law’s mission.
“Stetson Law is a remarkable law school filled with dedicated individuals with one, unified goal — to prepare our students to be change agents who make significant contributions to our communities and to society,” she said. “I think you saw today that we have a new group of graduates who are going to do just that.”
FULL VIDEO: Stetson Law Honors & Awards 2023
Post date: May 12, 2023
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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