On the eve of Commencement, students in the Class of May 2017 and their families gathered in the Elon Law library to recognize outstanding academic performance, pro bono work, and service to the law school.
Dozens of Elon University School of Law students were honored before family and friends in a May 19 awards program and reception that kicked off Commencement weekend for the Class of May 2017.
With the Elon Law library as a backdrop, faculty and staff lavished praise on students for their superb achievements both in and out of the classroom. Recipients were lauded for their participation in such organizations as the Elon Law Review and the Mock Trial program, their service to the community through the Pro Bono Board and clinical programs, and their unwavering dedication to Elon Law through volunteer efforts and class leadership roles.
“You offer us hope, hope for the future as you now have a role in sorting out what kind of profession we will be and what kinds of contributions to society we as lawyers will make,” Elon Law Dean Luke Bierman said in his remarks. “As we conclude our celebration tonight and prepare for Commencement tomorrow, we know that Elon Law, our profession, and our society will be better for the contributions you are well-prepared to make.”
The evening featured a welcome to the Elon Law Alumni Association from Toby Poe L’10 and Adrianne Edmonds Poe L’11, as well as a presentation of the class gift, offered to Bierman by Danielle Prongay L’17 and Olutola Familoni L’17. The gift of nearly $1,550 from 47 percent of the class will assist the Office of Career & Student Development to establish a formal program to connect Elon Law students with alumni who return to campus to share information about career opportunities.
“It is our hope that it will grow to further advance student placements in jobs after graduation, internships, and residencies,” Prongay said. “Thank you to all of you who have supported, advocated for, and partnered with Elon Law.”
Student Honors for the Class of May 2017
ALI-CLE Award
Candace Melanie Washington
American Bankruptcy Institute Medal for Excellence
Elizabeth Fowlkes Lawson
CLEA’s Outstanding Student Award
Kathleen Elizabeth Lynch
Dean’s Award
Olutola Familoni
Dean’s Fellows
Candace Melanie Washington
Jason Buran Pruett
Jennifer Lynn Podelco
Jennifer Renee LaBeau
Joseph Anthony McManus
Landon R. Hodges
Merima Mustafic
Paige Elaine Vankooten
Ragan Hope Riddle
Vondella K. Smith
Distinguished Service Award
Danielle Morgan Prongay
Elon Business Law Journal Award
Jeffrey L. Bloomfield
Jennifer Lynn Podelco
Joseph Anthony McManus
Paige Elaine Vankooten
Sean McLeod
Zachary Thomas Luffman
Elon International Law Digest
Daphne Rose Hankins
Jeffrey L. Bloomfield
Laura Ann Janke
Spencer David Warren
Tara Ann Scanlon
International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award
Adam Kristian Roberts
Elon Law Review
Adam Kristian Roberts, Staff Member
Candace Melanie Washington, Staff Member
Danielle Morgan Prongay, Managing Editor
Jason Buran Pruett, Staff Member
Jennifer Lynn Podelco, Articles Editor
Jennifer Renee Labeau, Membership Editor
Jonathan Michael Holt, Symposium Editor
Joseph Anthony McManus, Articles Editor
Landon R. Hodges, Online Editor
Merima Mustafic, Notes & Comments Editor
Nathaniel H. Cook, Staff Member
Paige Elaine Vankooten, Notes & Comments Editor
Ragan Hope Riddle, Editor-in-Chief
Sean McLeod, Symposium Editor
Talia Jade Nowicki, Editorial Staff
Todd Philip Kendrick, Business Editor
Tyler Ethan Cloud, Editorial Staff
Marshall-Thompson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Constitutional Law Studies
Ragan Hope Riddle
Michael L. Rich Memorial Award for Excellence in Criminal Law Studies
Danielle Morgan Prongay
Moot Court
Alexandria Elizabeth Hall
Ashley Nicole Hartman
Danielle Morgan Prongay
Elisabeth Whitten Stone
Jackson Allan Barnes
James Robert Capps
Jason Buran Pruett
Jennifer Renee LaBeau
Landon R. Hodges
Leah Suzanne Britt
Meghan Ruth Smith
Mollie McLauchlin Schrull
Paige Nicole McElravy
Russell Andrew Michalec
Ryan Irving Glaser
Samuel Sutherland Price
Sean McLeod
Spencer David Warren
Stephanie A. Stradling
Todd Philip Kendrick
National Association Of Women Lawyers Recognition
Merima Mustafic
NC Advocates for Justice Student Advocacy Award
Jackson Allan Barnes
NC State Bar Student Pro Bono Award
Kelsey Mattison Chilton
NCBA Pro Bono Recognition Awards
Alexandra Noelle Giordanella
Carey Graham
Jennifer Renee LaBeau
Kelsey Mattison Chilton
Kathleen Elizabeth Lynch
Kayla Louise Mohr
Kelly Walker
Melissa Emily Stoll
Merima Mustafic
Russell Andrew Michalec
Timberley Faith Motsinger
William James Sivyer, Jr.
The Order of the Barristers
Adam Kristian Roberts
Alexandria Elizabeth Hall
Danielle Morgan Prongay
Jackson Allan Barnes
Jason Buran Pruett
Jennifer Renee LaBeau
Joy Danielle Saunders
Olutola Familoni
Sean McLeod
Todd Philip Kendrick
Trial Advocacy Board
Adam Kristian Roberts
Benton Shane Begley
James Robert Capps
Joy Danielle Saunders
Laura Ann Janke
Leah Suzanne Britt
Olutola Familoni
Sharon Elizabeth Dunmore
Spencer David Warren