Elon Law's reunion weekend featured a free Continuing Legal Education class, 5k race, golf tournament and several receptions.
A slideshow from Elon Law Reunion Weekend 2013 is available here.
Jason Aycoth L’09, president of the Elon Law Alumni Association, said the weekend reflected growing bonds between members of different graduating classes of Elon Law alumni.
“The network of Elon Law alumni continues to grow, not only in sheer numbers, but in the depth of relationships we have with each other,” Aycoth said. “We have always had the advantage of a strong network with other practicing attorneys, thanks in large part to Elon Law’s Preceptor Program and its downtown Greensboro location. Now, based on the level of activity and energy I saw at Reunion Weekend, it’s clear Elon graduates are building on the close relationships fostered in law school and carrying those into the profession.”
Reunion weekend opened on Friday, March 1, with a CLE on the topic of ethics featuring the Honorable Catherine C. Eagles, Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, the Honorable A. Robinson Hassell, Special Superior Court Judge, North Carolina Superior Court, and United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina (Ret.) Frank W. Bullock, Jr., now an attorney with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP.
Sarah Lucente L’09, who coordinated the CLE, said the panelists provided key insights about professionalism and ethics in law practice.
“Elon is so fortunate to benefit from the regular engagement of many of the states leading judges and lawyers,” Lucente said. “Judges Bullock, Eagles and Hassell are models of professionalism in their own right, and the insights they shared about ethics in the practice of law were of great benefit not only to Elon Law alumni, but also to the numerous attorneys from the region who attended the forum.”
Friday evening’s Reunion Weekend events concluded with a CLE reception, law school tours for alumni to introduce them to several new facilities of the school, and a past presidents gathering of the Student Bar Association and Alumni Council coordinated by Chad Hinton L’09.
Many alumni participated in the fifth annual Barbara Sullivan 5K Race for Women’s Health on Saturday, coordinated by student leaders of the Women’s Law Association at Elon Law and by Ivy Oakley L’11. The race is named for the mother of former WLA member Ann Sullivan L’09, who lost her life to a brain tumor. Every year, WLA honors other members of its association and their families by donating all of the proceeds of the race to health issues that have affected them. All proceeds from the 2013 race will be donated to Piedmont Family Services, in support of the nonprofit organization’s programs to support those who have been affected by domestic violence.
“The students and alumni of the Women’s Law Association, and all members of the Elon Law community who participated in the race, are gratified to support the work of important women’s health organizations each year through this charitable event,” Oakley said. “This race is one of the important Elon Law traditions that we are all committed to supporting for years to come.”
Additional events on Saturday included an Alumni Family Lunch coordinated by Andrea Davis L’12, a “Hit the Links” golf tournament coordinated by student members of Elon Law’s Business Law Association and by Danny Donovan L’09 and an Alumni Coffee & Conversation with Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law Catherine Dunham, coordinated by Erin Rega L’12. On Sunday, the Elon Law Black Law Students Association held an alumni brunch that was coordinated by David Morrow L’10.
The weekend’s featured gathering – the Dean’s Alumni Reception coordinated by Andrea Harrell L’09 – took place Saturday evening at the Centre Pointe high-rise condominiums adjacent to the law school. Law school dean George R. Johnson, Jr. welcomed alumni to the reception and delivered brief remarks about the school’s recent initiatives and activities.
“The vibrancy of Elon Law’s alumni was on full display at our annual Reunion Weekend Dean’s Reception,” said Harrell. “Dozens of alumni conversed about recent family and professional news, and we all celebrated the achievements and successes fellow Elon Law graduates. Dean Johnson’s remarks, as always, were informative and inspiring. This is an event we want all Elon Law alumni to look forward to each year as the signature event of Reunion Weekend.”
Sarah Lucente L’09 spoke at the Dean’s Reception about Elon Law’s Drive to 25, the Alumni Association’s annual scholarship giving campaign.
“We were proud to exceed our alumni participation goals last year and we anticipate continued tremendous support from the Elon Law alumni community for this important campaign,” Lucente said.
Alumni are encouraged to contribute to the Drive to 25 here. Make sure to designate your gift to “School of Law” and noting “Drive to 25” in the Additional Comments section.
All programs and events of Elon Law Reunion Weekend were coordinated in collaboration with the Development office at Elon Law and with the Elon Law Alumni Association.
Upcoming Elon Law alumni events include a Washington, DC reception in April, alumni events in support of the Class of 2013 as they study for the bar exam, and a reception in Asheville, NC this summer during the North Carolina Bar Association annual meeting. Details will be available on the Elon Law alumni homepage as plans for these events are finalized.