School of Law celebrates faculty, students at Awards Day

Charleston School of Law faculty, students and staff gathered on Tuesday afternoon for the annual Awards Day ceremony.

Dean and Provost Larry Cunningham opened the event by swearing in the new Student Bar Association (SBA) leadership team. Rising 3L Shane Hursh has been elected president and Khari Ford (vice president), Delaney Pruiett (Treasurer) and Sarah Cooper (Secretary) also join the student-led bar.

Professor William Janssen won three awards including the Charleston School of Law Professor of the Year, Best Faculty Mentor Award, and 1L Professor of the Year Award.

The Professor of the Year honor is given to the faculty member who “exudes superlative teaching ability, effectiveness inside the classroom, availability outside the classroom, and participation in student life.”

The Best Faculty Mentor Award is presented to the faculty member who demonstrates the “highest level of quality in the mentoring of law students in and out of the classroom.”

Professor Janssen was also recognized as the 1L Professor of the Year, an award given to the faculty member who “instills a love of the law into first-year students and is passionate about shaping young legal minds.”

Faculty Profile: William Janssen
Faculty Bio: William Janssen
Podcast: William Janssen

Charleston Law 3L Addison “Oz” Osborne won three awards including the Professionalism Award, Pro Bono Populi Service Award, and SBA Senator of the Year, presented to the student leader who exemplifies dedication, service and commitment.

Director of Externships, Public Service and Pro Bono Michelle Condon recognized 32  students were for outsanding pro bono service. Each of the 32 students particpated in 100 or more hours of service. 

Madeline Hall Fletcher (586), Monica Lee Hughes (521), Nicole Bella Habina (405) and Patrick Ryan O’Hara (400) led the list. 

Additional honors went to Mikaela Lynn Andrews, Katherine Elise Banick, Carolina Hunter Barker, Josette Elizabeth Brooksbank, Marissa Gayle Bryan, Dena Leigh Byrd-Byrum, Blake Sandifer Campbell Jr., David Connor Campbell, Sydney Katherine Catlett, George Edward Coleman IV, Jenna Kay DePoy, David Thomas Going, Andrew Sanders Hall, Drayton Marshal Hammes, Lori Larson Horst, Zenia Cyrus Irani, Alexandria Shai Jones, Caroline Elizabeth Lamb, Marie Margaret Lerch, Kackenzie Jo Lintz, Ariana Maria Patsaros, Cameron Lee Perry, Brittany Rebecca Schelper, Caitlin Burrell Turner, Sydney Nicole Willingham, Allsion Faith Wood, Trey Walker Wright, and Kaitlyn Jo Yost.

Pro service is a core value at Charleston School of Law and was created to instill a commitment to service. Each graduate is required to participate a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono service in the community.

Director of Admissions Michael Banks presented three memorial scholarships to Charleston Law students.

  • Michelle Robbins Award: Katherine Banick (in memory of Michelle Robbins)
  • Kat Westbrook Rock Star Award: Lonnie Harvey (in memory of Kat Westbrook)
  • Angela Nussbaum Award: Zachary Porter (in memory Angela Nussbaum)

Awards Day Photo Gallery

In addition, awards were presented in the following categories:

Adjunct Professor of the Year: Brian McElreath

Presented to a Charleston School of Law Adjunct Professor who “exudes superlative teaching ability, effectiveness inside the classroom, availability outside the classroom, and participation in Student Life.”

Professionalism Award: Alexandria Jones (co-winner)

Charleston School of Law Civility Award: Gabriel Mangold

Presented to a Charleston School of Law student who “best exemplifies the high moral character and professionalism” charged to all who attend the Charleston School of Law.

Andy Abrams Excellence Award: Captain Grady Mason

For twelve years, Andy Abrams served the Charleston School of Law as Dean with unparallel commitment to the school and its students providing uncommon encouragement and support during tumultuous and uncertain circumstances. The award is presented to the administrator, faculty member, or staff member who embodies the same level of devotion to students as Dean Abrams.

Student Organization Awards:

  • Phi Delta Phi (Breanna Thomas) – Alex Sanders Award
  • Business Law Society (Nicole Leva) – BLS Redden Award