During the Law School's 130th Commencement the President of the Alumni Council, Stanley E. Woodward Jr. '08, and Dean Regina Jefferson presented the Law School Alumni Association Award to Gemma Kathryn Forest (Day Division) and Patrick Arthur Burke (Evening Division). The Law School Alumni Association Award, established in 1978, is given on the basis of academic excellence, participation in extracurricular and cocurricular activities, and dedication to the Law School, University, and community.

"Gemma has been extremely committed to the law school community and has stood out as a student leader since day one.As a second year student, Gemma served as a Law Review staff member, Representative for the Student Bar Association, Women's Law Caucus Vice President of Public Outreach, and was on the Dean's List. As a third year student, Gemma committed much of her time to the Law Review, serving as an Associate Editor. She also served as the Criminal Law Society President, the Vice Chancellor of Siegenthaler Sutherland, Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Vice President, Student Bar Association 3L Representative, and Graduation Committee Co-Chair. Gemma's commitment to excellence and to her classmates was further embodied through her service as a Dean's Academic Fellow. In this role and in her own personal time, Gemma spent countless hours coaching and supporting fellow students to develop and refine their academic skills and confidence so that they too could excel in the classroom. In addition to all these activities, Gemma completed over 150 hours of pro bono service and received the Extra Mile Awardand the Marathon Award. Following graduation, Gemma will be clerking for Judge Salant in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County. It is an honor for the Alumni Council to present her with this award today" Woodward said.

"Our evening students often balance law school with significantcompeting demands for their time. Such obligations have notstopped Patrick from excelling academically, engaging in thelaw school community as a student leader, and dedicating many hours to pro bono. Patrick committed much of his time to the Evening Law Students Association, serving as the 1L Representative. He later served as the Evening Law Students Association Treasurer during his 2L and 3L years, and finally as President during his 4L year. Patrick has also been very active in the Columbus Community Legal Services Clinic, providing probono services as a student attorney. Patrick received the Extra Mile Award, the Marathon Award, and the Triathlon Award in honor of his outstanding service to the law school community and the student body despite having other demands on his time. Following graduation, Patrick will be clerking for Judge Hall Johnson of Prince George's County. It is my pleasure to present the Alumni award to him today," Woodward said.