A supportive community has longed played an instrumental role at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Catholic Law). This feeling was on full display the evening of March 21, 2023, when four student-led organizations presented awards to four distinguished alumni at Catholic Law’s second annual Diversity Leadership Alumni Awards. Introduced by Shani Butts ’03, Assistant Dean for Admissions, the ceremony recognized the respective achievements of Catholic Law graduates Anatolio B. Cruz III ’92, Jim Moye ’99, Jessica Springsteen ’05, and Raeka Saifi ’07.
The Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), represented by Mark Dela Peña (2L), conferred the APALSA Diversity Leadership Award to Anatolio B. Cruz III, a retired naval admiral whose career has extended beyond both the military and courtroom. Raised in Texas by Filipino-American parents, Cruz attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in the late 1970's. Recognizing at that time that the composition of the Navy’s corps of commanding offices did not accurately reflect the diversity of the branch’s broader membership, Cruz committed himself to a life of promoting diversity and emphasizing individual character. In the process, he helped lead four public and three private companies, including the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) and Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC). He retired from the Navy in 2013.
The Black Law Students Association (BLSA), represented by Emani Johnson (2L), presented Jim Moye, Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel at the American Bankers Association, with the BLSA Diversity Leadership Award. A native of rural East Texas, Moye at an early age learned from his parents the value of education. Always encouraged by his parents, he developed an aptitude for building relationships and fostering communication. Reflecting on the societal polarization that has developed in recent years, Moye encouraged those in attendance to recognize the importance of connecting with not only the people inside and outside Catholic Law, but also themselves. “Own who you are,” he remarked in closing. “Be prepared to just be who you are.”
The Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA), represented by Julie Orlando (3L) and Nicole Rocha (3L), recognized Clifford Chance LLP partner Jessica Springsteen with the LALSA Diversity Leadership Award. Holding not only her J.D. but also her B.A. and M.A. from The Catholic University of America, Springsteen spent her childhood in D.C. exposed to not only the American culture that surrounded her, but also the Peruvian culture of her immigrant parents. Given that Springsteen could not attend, her parents and husband, along with her sister Jennifer Aspinwall, were in attendance representing her. After accepting LALSA’s award on Springsteen’s behalf, Aspinwall expressed her sister’s gratitude, reading a speech that Springsteen had written in advance of the ceremony.
The Middle Eastern Student Bar Association (MESBA), represented by Niloo Baghai (2L), honored Raeka Safai with the MESBA Diversity Leadership Award. A first-generation Iranian-American fluent not only English but also Farsi and French, Safai serves as the Deputy General Counsel for the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA). Unable to attend the ceremony, MESBA accepted the award on her behalf.
The event closed with remarks delivered by Dean Stephen C. Payne. Noting the outstanding achievements of the evening’s honorees, he echoed Moye’s sentiment about building relationships and fostering communication. Following Dean Payne’s comments, attendees continued to celebrate the community of Catholic Law at a networking reception hosted in the Louise H. Keelty and James Keelty, Jr. Atrium.