Associate Dean Marin R. Scordato presented the John L. Garvey Faculty Award to Jack P. Vivian (Day Division (Above Left)) and Krystal Kirst (Evening Division (Above Right)). Both recipients are pictured with Dean Daniel F. Attridge.
The John L. Garvey Faculty Award recognizes outstanding academic achievement during the law school course study. Awards are conferred during the Commencement ceremony upon the highest-ranking graduate from each division, day and evening. The faculty named the award to honor Professor Emeritus, John L. Garvey. It recognizes his 49 years of dedicated service to the Columbus School of Law as teacher, dean, scholar, and colleague.
Assistant Dean Katie Crowley introduced Michael F. Curtin '65, who presented the Michael F. Curtin Pro Bono Award to Ellie Shahin (Day Division (above left)) and Sheree Cleckley (Evening Division (above right)). Both recipients are pictured with Dean Daniel F. Attridge and Michael F. Curtin.
Michael F. Curtin Pro Bono Award recognizes a law student from each division, day and evening, who has honored the highest ideals of the Columbus School of Law by voluntary pro bono service to others. The award is named in tribute to alumnus Michael F. Curtin, 1965, in recognition of his more than 40 years of leadership and selfless dedication to the Law School and the legal profession. The range of his pro bono work and his significant portion of his professional life that he has devoted to the causes of justice, compassion, and opportunity for all have set a new student for what it means to serve others.
"Over the course of Ellie Shahin's law school career she interned at the Loudoun County Office of the Public Defender and the Fairfax County Office of the Public Defender. She also participated in the Legal Services Society's trip to New Orleans, LA, where she volunteered at the Public Defender's Office. She is an inaugural member of the student pro bono advisory board, and in this role she strove to engage her peers in pro bono work," Curtin said.
"As an evening student, Sheree contributed extensive hours to diverse pro bono work throughout her law school career. She volunteered her time at the following clinics: The D.C. Bar Small Business Clinic, The Employment Justice Center Intake Clinic, Bread for the City's Advice and Referral Clinic, among others. In addition, Sheree conducted pro bono research for Columbus Community Legal Services Catholic University. She has been a member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and the National Black MBA Association. Since February 2015, Sheree has been employed by the U.S. Department of Human and Health Services as an Equal Opportunity Employment Specialist. She is a founding board member of Hive Community Circle, which partners with local schools, community agencies, and health departments to provide evidence-based preventive services related to sexual assault," Curtin said.