Law school honors students for scholarship, leadership and service
LAWRENCE - Fourteen University of Kansas School of Law students received awards during the spring 2023 semester for distinguishing themselves in scholarship, leadership and service to the law school and the community.
The recipients:
- Claudia Palacios Armstrong, Peru: The Dru Mort Sampson Center for Diversity & Inclusion Award of Distinction
- Jacob Barefield, Georgia: Justice Lloyd Kagey Leadership Award
- Jc Carter, Missouri: Class of 1949 Leadership Award
- Emily Depew, Kansas: Polsinelli Advocacy Award
- Kat Girod, Kansas: Samuel Mellinger Scholarship, Leadership and Service Award
- Erin Levy, Kansas: Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
- Brandon Lock, Texas: Class of 1949 Leadership Award
- Savannah Lucas, Kansas: Janean Meigs Memorial Award
- Amanda McElfresh, Kansas: Robert F. Bennett Award
- Allyson Monson, South Dakota: Walter Hiersteiner Outstanding Service Award
- Lauren Page, Kansas: Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
- Toni Ruo, Kansas: Janean Meigs Memorial Award
- Sarah Schmitz, Kansas: Class of 1949 Leadership Award
- Aimee Wuthrich, Kansas: Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement
All but one of the honorees are graduates in the Class of 2023 who were recognized at a hooding ceremony on May 13. Lauren Page, of Wichita, was selected to serve as the 2023 banner carrier, an honor bestowed upon a student who exemplifies excellence in their program. The class is composed of 90 recipients of the Juris Doctor as well as one Master of Laws in American Legal Studies and two Doctor of Juridical Science graduates. Nine more students graduated from the Master of Science in Homeland Security: Law & Policy program.
Funds for the awards are managed by KU Endowment, the independent and nonprofit organization serving as KU's official fundraising and fund-management organization. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first of its kind at a U.S. public university.
Student awards are listed below alphabetically
Claudia Palacios Armstrong, of Lima, Peru, received The Dru Mort Sampson Center for Diversity & Inclusion Award of Distinction. This award is given to a student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has exhibited exemplary leadership and a commitment to promoting diversity and belonging - both in Green Hall and in the law school's broader communities. Armstrong served as the president of the Hispanic American Law Student Association (HALSA). She met each classmate and professor with kindness, patience, and a passion for building community. Armstrong is the daughter of Dora and the late Juan Palacios. She is a graduate of Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, School of Law.
Jacob Barefield, of Augusta, Georgia, received the Justice Lloyd Kagey Leadership Award. This award is presented each year to the graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty, has most distinguished themself through leadership in the School of Law. Barefield served as a Head Dean's Fellow and held leadership positions in multiple student organizations. He has advocated for his fellow students with grace and professionalism. Barefield is the son of Tracy and the late Mickey Barefield. He is a graduate of Evans High School and Southern University.
Jc Carter, of Chesterfield, Missouri, received the Class of 1949 Leadership Award for the 2L class. This award is given annually to a student who, in the opinion of the faculty has contributed most significantly to the overall experience of the students in Green Hall. Carter held key leadership roles in KU Traffic Court and the Student Bar Association (SBA) as the executive vice president. Carter spearheaded an initiative to create the Deans' Cup competition which builds community between classes and encourages participation in student organizations. Carter is the child of Margaret and Patrick Carter. They are a graduate of Francis Howell High School and Southeast Missouri State University.
Emily Depew, of Neodesha, received the Polsinelli Advocacy Award. This new award is given to the graduate who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in moot court appellate advocacy. Depew has had more success in appellate oral advocacy than any other KU Law student. She served as a Chief Justice of the Moot Court Council and represented KU Law in many national moot court competitions where she brought home multiple awards. She won the National NALSA Moot Court Competition three years in a row. Depew is also the recipient of the Elizabeth Dole Public Service Award. She is the daughter of Deborah and Douglas Depew. She is a graduate of Neodesha High School and KU.
Kat Girod, of Overland Park, received the Samuel Mellinger Scholarship, Leadership and Service Award. This award is given annually to the graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty, has most distinguished themselves in the combined areas of scholarship, leadership and service. Girod served as a Dean's Fellow, a Shook Hardy & Bacon Scholar and recently received the inaugural Bruce Hopkins Award for Non-Profit Excellence. She participated in the Kansas Law Review, bankruptcy moot court competitions, Mindfulness in Law Society, Women in Law and the Business & Tax Law Society. She expanded the reach of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program by establishing a special program to assist undocumented workers complete their tax returns. Girod is the daughter of Susan and Doug Girod. She is a graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Erin Levy, of Lawrence, received the Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement. This award is given annually to a graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty, has made the most significant contribution toward overall legal scholarship. Levy served as a Shook Hardy & Bacon Scholar and was an articles editor for the Kansas Law Review, where her article was selected for publication. Levy is the daughter of Kathleen and Richard Levy. She is a graduate of Bishop Seabury Academy, Beloit College, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Brandon Lock, of Dallas, Texas, received the Class of 1949 Leadership Award. This award is given annually to a student who, in the opinion of the faculty has contributed most significantly to the overall experience of the students in Green Hall. Lock served as the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) President, American Bar Association (ABA) representative in the Student Bar Asssociation (SBA) and was a Dean's Fellow. Lock is the son of Kathy and Duane Lock. He is a graduate of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, Rockhurst University and Southern Methodist University.
Savannah Lucas, of Leavenworth, received the Janean Meigs Memorial Award. This award is given annually to a graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty, has demonstrated a caring spirit in service to the students of the University and/or the community at large. She was a key member in organizations including Women in Law, the Student Bar Association (SBA) and the Student Ambassador program. After graduation, Lucas plans to serve our nation as a JAG officer. Lucas is the daughter of Sheila and Floyd Lucas. She graduated from Leavenworth High School and the University of Alabama.
Amanda McElfresh, of Manhattan, received the Robert F. Bennett Award. This award is presented each year to the graduate whose undergraduate degree is from a Kansas university or college and who has demonstrated leadership qualities through public service. McElfresh served as a Dean's Fellow, editor of Kansas Law Review, secretary for the Hispanic American Law Students Association (HALSA) and member of Women in Law. She served as a Chief Justice of KU Law's Moot Court Council and took first place in the Federal Bar Association's Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Compeititon where she won best oralist. She volunteered with the Guardianship Assistance Program of Johnson County and was a volunteer intern with the ACLU of Kansas. McElfresh is the daughter of Esther Figueredo and Pedro Pablo Del Toro. She is a graduate of Rock Creek Jr/Sr High School and Wichita State University.
Allyson Monson, of Clark, South Dakota, received the Walter Hiersteiner Outstanding Service Award. This award is given to a graduate whose service to their fellow students in the School of Law or the university community demonstrates the greatest promise for contribution to the legal profession and to society. Monson served in numerous leadership positions including Student Bar Association (SBA) treasurer and class representative. She was on the Pro Bono Honor Roll and took first place in the Federal Bar Association's Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition. Monson is the daughter of Brenda and Jerry Monson. She graduated from Clark High School and South Dakota State University.
Lauren Page, of Wichita, received the Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement. This award is given annually to a graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty, has made the most significant contribution toward overall legal scholarship. Page is a Weigand scholar who achieved the highest-grade point average of any student in the Class of 2023 and amassed ten CALI/Lawyering Awards. She served as an articles editor for the Kansas Law Review where her article was selected for publication and also served as a site coordinator for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. She was active in Women in Law, Christian Legal Society and the Business & Tax Law Society. At the UCLA Transactional Law Meet, her team won Best Overall for the buyer's side. Page is the daughter of Crystal and Larry Page. She is a graduate of Trinity Academy and MidAmerica Nazerene University.
Toni Ruo, of Shawnee, received the Janean Meigs Memorial Award. This award is given annually to a graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty, has demonstrated a caring spirit in service to the students of the University and/or the community at large. Ruo served as the executive comments editor for the Kansas Law Review and as a Lawyering research teaching assistant for two years, guiding 1Ls through their first year of law school. She received five CALI/Lawyering Awards and had two articles published while in law school. She served as President of the Business & Tax Law Society and reinvigorated the 20203 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program by recruiting student volunteers. Ruo is the daughter of Amy and John Ruo. She is a graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and Saint Louis University.
Sarah Schmitz, of Wichita, received the Class of 1949 Leadership Award. This award is given annually to a student who, in the opinion of the faculty has contributed most significantly to the overall experience of the students in Green Hall. Schmitz served as a Head Dean's Fellow as well as a staff editor and managing editor for the Kansas Law Review, both publishing and presenting nationally. Schmitz is the daughter of Kristin and Kevin Schmitz. She is a graduate of Kaupan Mt. Carmel Catholic High School and Creighton University.
Aimee Wuthrich, of Wichita, received the Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement. This award is given annually to a graduate who, in the opinion of the faculty, has made the most significant contribution toward overall legal scholarship. Wuthrich served as a staff editor for the Kansas Law Review and received multiple CALI Award. She also served low-income clients in the Medical Legal Partnership. Wuthrich is the daughter of Kathy and Dr. Stan Mosier. She is a graduate of Wichita Southeast High School, Baylor University and Middle East Technical University.