News Archives - Page 73 of 138

Artists in Residence: Stetson Law students volunteer with local nursing home to create Maturity in the Masterpiece program

When a group of students in Professor Rebecca Morgan’s Elder Law Seminar class visited a local nursing home in Gulfport, student Ashley Heino noticed that the walls were lacking artwork.

Students volunteered for “Maturity in the Masterpiece." — Student Heather Woods volunteered for “Maturity in the Masterpiece.” Photo by Stan Arthur.

She and fellow student Christine O’Shea discussed how Stetson Law students and the nursing home might work together to create artwork to spruce up the walls while also providing the residents with a creative activity. The idea for “Maturity in the Masterpiece” was born.

O’Shea worked with the nursing home and recruited nine fellow students to volunteer to help nursing home residents create original paintings. On Oct. 4, the first group of volunteer Stetson Law students met with nursing home residents. They spent the afternoon creating works of art that will be previewed during an art show and then displayed at the nursing home.

“I was really proud of my fellow students,” said O’Shea. “They were extremely patient and caring, qualities you hope law students will have as they become role models for their community.”

O’Shea said that she hopes the entire Stetson community will participate in the “Maturity in the Masterpiece” program, tentatively scheduled for the first Friday of each month from 2- 4 p.m. at the Boca Ciega Center in Gulfport.

“Not only is it great for the residents, it is also a good way for Stetson Law students and faculty and staff to break away from the books and add some variety to their lives,” said O’Shea.

The next “Maturity in the Masterpiece” will take place between 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Boca Ciega Center in Gulfport, 1414 59th St. S. All Stetson faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to volunteer.

Stetson students volunteered to help assisted living facility residents create original works of art.

“For many residents, Boca Ciega is their only home,” said Heino. “By giving residents the opportunity to display their artwork throughout Boca Ciega, I believe this program will bring the residents a new sense of happiness and pride and create many lasting memories.”

The Boca Ciega Center is a nonprofit nursing home and rehabilitative center. To learn more about volunteering to help, contact Christine O’Shea at [email protected].

Stetson Law Information Day for prospective students scheduled for Nov. 9 on the Gulfport campus

Stetson Law Information Day for prospective students is scheduled for Nov. 9 on Stetson University College of Law’s Gulfport campus, 1401 61st St. S.

WHAT: Prospective students will have an opportunity to meet Stetson Law students and faculty, attend a simulated law class and faculty-led seminars, tour the campus, and learn more about admissions and financial aid. Complimentary lunch will be provided.

WHEN: Registration begins at 9 a.m. The program takes place between 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st St. S., Gulfport.

For more information, please email [email protected] or call 727-562-7802. RSVP preferred by Nov. 4.

St. Petersburg mayor, representatives visit Stetson Law students

(L-R): Representative James Grant (JD '09), Representative Kathleen Peters and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster spoke at Stetson. — (L-R): Representative James Grant (JD ’09), Representative Kathleen Peters and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster spoke at Stetson.

Stetson Law Republicans Vice President J. Tyler Payne moderated the organization’s annual State and Local Politicians Panel on Oct. 22 in the Great Hall at Stetson Law in Gulfport with St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, Representative James Grant (JD ’09), and Representative Kathleen Peters.

The student organization brought a panel of experts to campus to talk about a variety of issues impacting the community.

“It is critical for us, as law students, to be involved in public service and the political process,” said Payne, who is pursuing a J.D./M.B.A. degree at Stetson. “We are very grateful to these distinguished public servants for sharing with the student body ways we can give back to our community.”

BLSA students gather books for international book project to improve literacy in Ghana

Students Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks kicked off the Black Law Students Association book drive on Oct. 21 in the breezeway at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport.

Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks are gathering books for the Black Law Students Association Book Drive through Oct. 28. — Students Rickena Perry and Ariana Brooks are gathering books in the breezeway for the Black Law Students Association book drive again on Oct. 28.

Stetson’s BLSA is collecting children’s, teen and college-level books to donate to the international book project, which this year promotes literacy in Ghana. Stetson’s BLSA book drive is part of a national BLSA event in which chapters around the country participate. The book drive continues on Oct. 28 between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the breezeway on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

During the spring, Stetson’s BLSA chapter was honored with the National Most Improved Chapter Award during the 45th annual National Black Law Students Convention in Atlanta, Ga., March 6-10. Out of more than 200 chapters in BLSA, Stetson’s BLSA was the only chapter to receive the coveted award.

In February, Stetson’s BLSA was selected from a pool of 43 law school chapters as Chapter of the Year for the Southern Region for outstanding community activism.

Professor Rebecca C. Morgan Elder Law Scholarship Fund announced at SNT conference

Attorneys, trustees, estate planners, financial advisers, CPAs and other elder care professionals attended the 15th Annual 2013 Special Needs Trusts – The National Conference held Oct. 16-18 in St. Pete Beach, Fla. The advanced day session opened with a presentation by Associate Dean Kristen D. Adams, announcing the Professor Rebecca C. Morgan Elder Law Scholarship Fund.

The newly named scholarship for students enrolled in Stetson’s Elder Law Certificate of Concentration Program will enable students to learn about the legal issues facing a growing elder population.

Ret. Maj. Gen. Michael Astrue (L) speaks on Social Security Disability at Special Needs Trusts-The National Conference. — Ret. Maj. Gen. Joseph Lynch (L) speaks on veterans benefits at Special Needs Trusts-The National Conference. Photo by Laura Cheek.

This year’s conference covered critical topics about special needs trusts and included sessions led by Michael Astrue, former commissioner of Social Security; Chung-yiu “Andrew” Lee, attorney with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of General Counsel; and Ret. Maj. Gen. Joseph Lynch, general counsel and corporate secretary of the Military Officers Association of America.

“Every year, this conference provides the most up-to-date and relevant education about special needs trusts and related disability law in the country, as well as an opportunity for professionals to network with the top practitioners and advisors in the country,” said Professor Rebecca C. Morgan, director of the LL.M. in Elder Law. “The speakers are so gracious in giving their time and expertise to our educational efforts in this important area.”

Professor Rebecca C. Morgan.

The next 16th Annual Special Needs Trusts – The National Conference is scheduled for Oct. 15-17, 2014, at the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.

Louisiana State University Wins Stetson’s National Pretrial Competition

A team of students from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center won Stetson University College of Law’s Sixth Annual National Pretrial Competition on Oct. 13 in Gulfport, Fla.

Teams from 16 law schools around the country competed at Stetson for a chance to win the competition, coordinated annually by Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Advocacy.

Awards

NCP-winners-LSU — Students from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center won this year’s National Pretrial Competition at Stetson University College of Law.

First place:
Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center
(Danielle Borel, Doran Drummond, Matthew Hamilton, and Sikandar Mehr)

Second place:
Texas Tech University School of Law
(Luke Calhoun, DaNae Couch, Jefferson Fisher, and Sierra Fisher)

Semifinalists:
Baylor Law School
(Stephen Dwyer, Jacqueline Hamer, Lindsey Lehrmann, and Doug Monkhouse)

Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
(Nickolas Kitchens, Jason McLendon, Michelle Sandler, and LoriBeth Westbrook)

Best Plaintiff’s Memorandum of Law Award:
Texas Tech University School of Law
(Luke Calhoun, DaNae Couch, Jefferson Fisher, and Sierra Fisher)

Best Defendant’s Memorandum of Law Award:
Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School
(Nickolas Kitchens, Jason McLendon, Michelle Sandler, and LoriBeth Westbrook)

Best Advocate Final Round:
Luke Calhoun, Texas Tech University School of Law

Best Advocate Semifinal Round:
Luke Calhoun, Texas Tech University School of Law

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 3:
Sikandar Mehr, Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 2:
Judy Shammo, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Best Advocate Preliminary Round 1:
Danielle Borel, Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center

Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz and Judge Pamela Campbell Honored by Pinellas County School Board

Dean-and-Judge-Campbell-hr — Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell (left) and Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

The Pinellas County School Board honored Stetson University College of Law Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz and Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell for their commitment to civics education in Pinellas County through the Constitution Hall exhibit.

As a part of the Gus A. Stavros Institute’s Finance Park, the Constitution Hall is an interactive exhibit that illustrates the role of the U.S. Constitution in forming the three branches of the U.S. government, protecting individual rights, and valuing civic participation. Judge Campbell discussed the project with fellow Stetson Law alumnus James Martin, who encouraged her to bring the project to Stetson.

This summer, Stetson Hall of Fame inductee Bonnie Foreman graciously agreed to underwrite the Constitution Hall exhibit, propelling the project forward. Staff at the College of Law designed the exhibit to teach eighth grade students about their rights under the Constitution, the three branches of government, and the importance of being civically active. Around 10,000 eighth graders will visit the exhibit each year as a part of the Finance Park experience.

Dean-with-Superintendent-hr — Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Michael A. Grego (left) shakes hands with Stetson Law Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

Dean-and-Judge-Campbell-with-group-hr — Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell and Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz pictured with members of the Pinellas County School Board.

Stetson rolls out Tobacco/Smoke-Free plan

Stetson University joins a growing list of U.S. colleges and universities to enact a policy to prohibit smoking and tobacco-related products beginning Aug. 1, 2014. The policy will affect Stetson’s residential campuses in DeLand and at the College of Law in Gulfport.

The policy prohibits all forms of tobacco use including e-cigarettes and a variety of smokeless products on Stetson buildings, structures, grounds, parking lots and in university and personal vehicles while on Stetson grounds.

“I am proud that Stetson University residential campuses will be completely smoke- and tobacco-free next August,” said President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D. “Stetson is committed to providing a safe and healthy living, learning and working environment for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors.”

Stetson began implementing smoking restrictions in 2007 by banning smoking near buildings and air vents. The new policy is the result of several years of research, focus groups and a university task force that determined that smoking was inconsistent with the values of the university.

Stetson will offer a variety of resources to help members of the Stetson University community quit smoking, including a series of free education programs about smoking and free resources for those who want to quit, including cessation products and classes.

The university task force determined, “Our university commitment to health and wellness, one of our shared values, requires us to protect non-smokers but also to support smokers in reconsidering a behavior that has been scientifically proven to have serious long-term health consequences.”

Compliance with this new policy rests with all members of the Stetson community. Community members are empowered to respectfully inform others about the policy and the ongoing effort to enhance awareness of and encourage compliance with this policy. Violation of this regulation may result in corrective action under the Student Code of Conduct, Human Resources Policies and Procedures, or other applicable University Regulations or Policies. Visitors refusing to comply may be asked to leave campus.

Stetson will use the next 10 months to continue to educate the Stetson community and visitors about the new policy with a series of informational sessions, health fairs, human resource training sessions, student tours of campus, in marketing materials and on its website at stetson.edu/breathe-free.

Contact: Mary Anne Rogers, University Marketing

Phone: (386) 822-7215; main line (386) 822-8920; cell (386) 717-5836

E-Mail: [email protected]

International animal law expert Sabine Brels lectures at Stetson on legal status and treatment of animals

French lawyer and international animal law expert Sabine Brels visited professors Paul Boudreaux and Royal Gardner’s seminar class on natural resources law on Sept. 26 to share her expertise in the field with students.

International animal law expert Sabine Brels visited Stetson Law.

“The legal status of animals is very controversial,” Brels told the class.

Brels spoke about the various approaches of animal protection in the law. She explained differing modern views on the treatment of animals, ranging from welfarism in which the use of animals is permissible, to abolitionism in which the use of animals is not acceptable.

Brels stressed the need to build an appropriate legal status leading to more consideration for nonhuman animals.

Animals are considered by the general law as objects of human use, but some are protected as subjects or sentient beings to a limited extent, Brels said.

In order to improve the legal status of animals, some professors have explored, for example, the notions of “animal personhood” (S. Wise) and “living property” (D. Favre), she explained.

Brels described how the traditional animal welfare approach promotes the regulation of animal use, while the radical animal rights approach promotes the banning of animal use.

She described the differences and the links between three approaches of animal protection: conservationism (in environmental law), welfarism (in animal law) and abolitionism (in animal rights).

“A major role of the law is to protect the weak ones for more equity between living beings,” Brels said.

(L-R): Sabine Brels visited with therapy dog James and Professor Peter Fitzgerald while visiting campus.

She stressed the need to avoid animal suffering by making better ethical choices, for example, by not buying animal food or clothing or products that are tested on animals.

She also described some of the negative impacts of factory farming and meat production on global warming, pollution, deforestation and depletion of the world’s water supply.

She emphasized the need for international law to intervene on this topic for the general interest. She said that, for example, vegetable alternatives to meat consumption such as plant proteins would serve human health and repartition of the world’s resources, environmental sustainability and animal welfare in a global way.

Brels has consulted on biodiversity conservation for international environmental organizations and scientific research centers.

Brels visited Stetson Law through Oct. 21 to share her special knowledge in the emerging field of animal law. In addition to class visits, she also addressed the law faculty on Stetson’s Gulfport campus on Oct. 9.

Stetson Law hosts Social Justice Lecture Series: Robert F. Kennedy adviser Peter Edelman speaks on ending poverty in the U.S.

» Watch entire video (1hr:26min) of Peter Edelman’s lecture

Stetson University College of Law hosted a public Social Justice Lecture Series discussion on Oct. 17 with former Robert F. Kennedy adviser Peter Edelman about ending poverty in the U.S.

(L-R): student Jennifer Quijano, Professor Peter Edelman, Professor Robert Bickel, and student Andona Zacks-Jordan. Photo by Kayla Minton (2L).

Edelman spoke at 7 p.m. on Stetson’s Gulfport campus.

Author and Georgetown University Law Center Professor Peter Edelman presented “So Rich, So Poor: Why It’s So Hard to End Poverty in America.”

Professor Edelman is an anti-poverty advocate who served as a top adviser to Senator Robert F. Kennedy from 1964-1968. During the Clinton administration, Edelman resigned from his position with the Department of Health and Human Services in protest of welfare reform legislation.

Ethel Kennedy remarked, “Bobby believed that, ‘as long as there is plenty, poverty is evil.’ Much has changed in forty-five years, but as Peter eloquently reminds us, far too many Americans remain trapped in the web of economic injustice. His compassionate and singular voice awakens our conscience and calls us to action.”

Read more about Edelman in Stetson Today.

Stetson Law students head to DeLand for Hatter football

A busload of Stetson Law students headed to the DeLand campus on Saturday, Sept. 21, for Stetson University’s second football game of the season.

(L-R): Stuart Boone (3L), Joe Gear (3L), Danielle Creech '13, Hatters mascot "John B," and Nick Wise (2L) in DeLand for the Hatters football game on Sept. 21. Photo by Kayla Minton (2L). — (L-R): Stuart Boone (3L), Joe Gear (3L), Danielle Creech ’13, Hatters mascot “John B,” and Nick Wise (2L) in DeLand for the Hatters football game on Sept. 21. Photo by Kayla Minton (2L).

Stetson Law Dean Christopher Pietruszkiewicz joined the Stetson Law students and alumni at the Hatters game.

More than 6,000 fans filled the Spec Martin Memorial Stadium to watch the Hatters play Birmingham- Southern College.

Stetson played Warner University for their first game since 1956 on Aug. 31.

Stetson’s bar passage is number one in the state: 89.3 percent of Stetson grads pass exam

Stetson University College of Law’s bar passage is number one in the state, according to the Supreme Court of Florida’s exam scores and statistics, with 89.3 percent of Stetson graduates passing the Florida bar exam in July.

Among all first-time test-takers in Florida, 77.2 percent of candidates passed the July bar exam.

“Stetson graduates are prepared for the legal profession, and their performance on the July bar is further testimony to their ability to perform with professionalism under pressure,” said Stetson Law Dean Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz.

Stetson’s bar passage rate has climbed over the past decade. Stetson’s bar preparation program includes bar preparation workshops, an essay-grading program and a study plan to help graduates track their progress while studying for the exam. In February, Stetson’s bar passage rate was 93.9 percent, second in the state.