Student Spotlight: Scott Sergeant Student Bar Association President

Student Spotlight: SCOTT SERGEANT

Scott Sergeant is a third year student at Ave Maria School of Law. He is serving as the school’s Student Bar Association President for the 2020-2021 school year.

Why did you choose to attend Ave Maria School of Law? When I first heard about Ave Maria School of Law, I was teaching middle school in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a town that is renown for its mountains and snow. I applied to Ave Maria Law because of the school’s Catholic reputation but I could not envision myself studying and living in a place without snow. After I took the LSAT, I attended the Cardinal Newman Scholarship Weekend where I was able to meet the professors and school administrators, participate in classes, and talk to current students. The professors deeply impressed me with their knowledge of their subjects but more so with their kindness. They were eager to engage with me and talk to me about the school, the study of law, and the law profession. From that weekend, I knew that I would look up to and admire the professors at Ave Maria Law. For me, the most important aspect of any school is the quality of the professors. It is the professors with whom students spend the most amount of time and who form you as a future lawyer. It was the good quality professors who are excellent teachers that made me choose to attend Ave Maria Law.

Congratulations on your appointment as the Student Bar Association President. What do you hope to accomplish during your time in this position? How has the approach of the SBA been different due to the COVID-19 pandemic? When I was elected as the SBA President, I did not expect that the fall semester would be online. Traditionally, the SBA hosts several different events including parties, speakers, and community service events. Now, while most of our activities will be online, we will continue to host virtual community building and social events, as well as providing community service opportunities for students. Essentially, I hope that the SBA will continue to function in the same manner, just in an online platform. Why do you feel it’s important to get involved in student groups while in law school? One of the SBA’s primary functions is to support the student organizations. These organizations are comprised of groups of students united by the same interest. There are numerous student organizations, including the St. Thomas More Society, the Federalist Society, the Black Law Student Association, and the Environmental Law Society. Each of these organizations hosts activities or events that relate to and promote their mission. These organizations allow students to engage with others and build community with likeminded students. Additionally, these specific events enrich the school community by diversifying the events and interests. I highly encourage all students to become involved in any and every organization with their same interests. This gives the students a platform in which they can share their talents and skills with the rest of the Ave Law community. I also encourage students to attend events put on by other student organizations that they do not participate in because they are often excellent learning experiences.

What is your favorite quote? Written on the wall of the Greek Temple of Apollo at Delphi is the phrase “Know Thyself.” While this seems a trite phrase, it commands us to do something that is very hard. It is easy for us to know our own good qualities, but the Greek phrase commands us to know not only the good, but also the bad qualities that we need to change. This selfknowledge requires wisdom to understand our weakness, diligence to seek correction, and the humility to implement it in our lives. “Know Thyself” is not something that can be accomplished in three years of Law School, or even in ten years. To “Know Thyself” requires a lifetime of self-growth and humility.