Wake Forest University School of Law Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 15, 2025
5:00 p.m. • Sutton Center
Order of Events
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Recognition of Graduating Leadership & Character Law Scholars
Recognition of Graduating Honor Council Members
Recognition of Graduating Student Organization Leaders
Recognition of Graduating Student Bar Association Leaders
Recognition of Graduating Wake Forest Law Ambassadors
Recognition of Graduating Academic Journals Members
Recognition of Graduating Advocacy Team Members
Order of Barristers Inductees
NCAJ Trial Bar Leadership Award
Dean Andrew R. Klein
Professor Kenneth Townsend & Dr. Benjamin Rigney
Dean Tanya Marsh
Dean Branden Nicholson
Dean Branden Nicholson
Dean Branden Nicholson
Dean Tanya Marsh
Malcolm Boyd (JD '18)
Malcolm Boyd (JD '18)
Malcolm Boyd (JD '18)
Awarded to two graduating students for their outstanding contributions and exceptional trial advocacy skills demonstrated in the competitive trial program.
NCAJ Trial Team Award
Ashley DiMuzio (JD '19)
Awarded to two graduating students who are members of Trial Bar and have demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing trial advocacy.
Order of Events (Continued)
Robert Goldberg Award in Trial Advocacy
Awarded to a student or students who have excelled in trial advocacy during their time in law school.
Pro Bono Honor Society Graduates
Ashley DiMuzio (JD '19)
Corey Frost, Pro Bono Project Faculty Director
Graduating students who have performed either 50 hours of pro bono work during one school year or 75 hours over multiple years.
Excellence in Pro Bono Publico Award
Corey Frost, Pro Bono Project Faculty Director
Awarded to a graduating student who has exemplified the Wake Forest motto, Pro Humanitate, through their commitment to pro bono legal work.
NC State Bar’s Pro Bono Student Award
Corey Frost, Pro Bono Project Faculty Director
Awarded to a student from each North Carolina law school who best exemplifies the spirit of pro bono service as described in the NC Rules of Professional Conduct for Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service.
Smith Anderson Pro Bono Award for Exceptional Service
Established to recognize a graduating member of the Pro Bono Honor Society who exhibits passion, creativity, dedication, and commitment to serving those in need.
Dean Suzanne Reynolds Award
Smith Anderson
Dean Margaret Taylor
Awarded to students with the highest grade in each Law School class.
Order of the Coif Inductees
Graduating students in the top ten percent of the class are invited to join this honorary scholastic society.
Dean Margaret Taylor
Kay Hagan Award
Legal Research Award
Professor Donald Vaughan (JD '79)
Awarded for distinction in State and Local Government Law.
Professor Kate Irwin-Smiler
Awarded to the student who has shown overall exceptional research skills, demonstrated in settings such as research papers, journal writing, or other academic endeavors.
Outstanding Research Assistant Award
Professor Kate Irwin-Smiler
Awarded to a student who has provided extraordinary research in their role as a research assistant.
Order of Events (Continued)
Jurist Excellence in Teaching Award
Celie Anderson, SBA President
Presented to the Law School faculty member who was nominated and voted for by the graduating class.
Jurist Staff Excellence Award
Celie Anderson, SBA President
Presented to the Law School staff member who was nominated and voted for by the graduating class.
E. McGruder Faris Memorial Award
Professor Timothy Davis
Established to honor the late Professor “Mac” Faris, a former member of the Law School faculty, this award is given to the student or students exhibiting the highest standards of character, leadership, and scholarship.
Andy B. Krafsur Award
Awards a graduating student who exemplifies a genuine concern for others and who has demonstrated a desire to advocate for underserved groups or public interest causes.
Laura J. Gendy Award
Dean Tanya Marsh
Professor Timothy Davis
Established in honor of the late Laura J. Gendy (JD '00), this award is given to the graduating student or students who exemplify the integrity, compassion for others, and strength of character that were the hallmarks of Ms. Gendy.
Established in honor of the late Miki Felsenburg (JD '91), a member of the Law School faculty, this award recognizes a graduating student who demonstrates exceptional leadership in the area of social justice.
Old Gold Award for Indomitable Spirit
Dean Andrew R. Klein
Awarded to a student or students who have demonstrated exceptional perseverance and unwavering determination in the face of significant challenges, inspiring others through their resilience and fortitude.
Dean’s Award
Dean Andrew R. Klein
Honors the student or students in each Law School program who demonstrate extraordinary contributions to the community through leadership, engagement, intellectual curiosity, and dedication to the Wake Forest University Pro Humanitate motto.
SBA Remarks to the Class of 2025
Closing Remarks
Celie Anderson, SBA President
Dean Andrew R. Klein
Graduating Leadership & Character Law Scholars
Marin Mae Bennerotte
Richard Wesley Hall
Mackenzie Elizabeth Matthews
Jacob Michael Padillo
Kaniesha Michelle Whatley
Graduating Honor Council Members
Faiza Ali
Lauren Elizabeth Appleby
Dick Beekman
Justin Fontaine
Alexis Sage Hellner
Sarah Paden Mobley
Jacob Michael Padillo
Madelyn Catherine Strohm
Michael Aaron VerMeulen
Lauren Anne Woodis
Katherine Nicole Wooten
Graduating Student Bar Association Leaders
Marie Celeste Anderson
Dick Beekman
Madison Elizabeth Cone
Emily Rachel Gillen
Zehui Liu
Caroline Rose Long
Edward Orr
Nicholas Walters
Graduating Wake Forest law Ambassadors
Marie Celeste Anderson
Lauren Elizabeth Appleby
Mary Catherine Baker
Dick Beekman
Marin Mae Bennerotte
Sheridan Kendall Ecker
Emily Grace Franklin
Richard Wesley Hall
Amy R. Harriman
Caroline Rose Long
Nicholas Lathe McDuffie
Julian John O’Donnell
Katherine Grace Palmer
Christine Margaret Pangborn
John Embry Payne
Payton Makayla Taylor
Vincent James Chance Villarreal