Every year, select students of the graduating class of The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Catholic Law) receive awards recognizing outstanding academic achievement, involvement in pro bono volunteer work, and overall contribution to the Catholic Law community. During its 134th commencement exercises on May 19, 2023, Catholic Law honored six graduating students for their respective accomplishments in these various areas.
The John L. Garvey Faculty Award honors the highest-ranking graduates of both the day and evening divisions, respectively, acknowledging their extraordinary academic performances in legal studies. This award takes its name from the now late Professor Emeritus John L. Garvey, who presided as Catholic Law’s dean from 1977 to 1979. The faculty of Catholic Law named this award in recognition of his forty-nine years of dedicated service—not only as dean, but also as teacher, scholar, and colleague. Professor Mary Graw Leary, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, presented the John L. Garvey Faculty Award to the Class of 2023’s recipients, day student Nicole Wargel and evening student Alissa Chase.
The Michael F. Curtin Pro Bono Award recognizes a student who has actualized Catholic Law’s highest ideals through providing voluntary pro bono service to others. The award references Michael F. Curtin ’65, as a tribute to his more than forty years of selfless dedication both to Catholic Law and to the legal profession. His pro bono work, in tandem with his significant, lifelong dedication to the causes of justice, compassion, and opportunity for all, has established a new archetype for those lawyers whose ultimate goal is to serve others. Curtin himself presented the Michael F. Curtin Pro Bono Award to the Class of 2023’s recipients, day student Samantha Soter and evening student Erhan Bedestani.
The Law School Alumni Association Award recognizes one student from each division, acknowledging not only excellence in academic work but also active participation in both extra- and co-curricular activities. This award, first established in 1978, honors the ways in which these students have in special ways contributed to the Catholic Law community. J.C. Boggs ’87, Partner, King & Spalding's Government Advocacy and Public Policy Group and Chair of the Board of Visitors of the Columbus School of Law, presented the Law School Alumni Association Award to the Class of 2023’s recipients, day student Maria Hershey and evening student Jennifer Kaplan.
