School of Law Announces 2024 Graduation Award Recipients

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Left to Right: Samantha Doss, Brett Callaway, Alexandria Rook

The U of A School of Law announces the class of 2024 Graduation Award winners. The awards recognize academic excellence, peer elected awards and pro bono service.

The School of Law bestows three prestigious awards based on overall class rank. Samantha Doss received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for graduating first in her class. Brett Callaway, the student ranked second in his class, received the High Academic Achievement Award. Alexandria Rook, who held the third-highest grade point average in the Class of 2024, received the Academic Achievement Award.

"We are immensely proud of all our graduates, but achieving at this high level is very special. To be recognized at the centennial graduation ceremony is a distinct honor for these graduates. It's worth noting that women earned two of our highest awards this year, which is a reflection of the growth and evolution of the School of Law since its creation 100 years ago," said Dean Cynthia Nance. "Congratulations to Samantha, Brett and Lexie for their demonstrated scholarly excellence." The identities of the top three students in the class are confidential until they are announced at the school's Commencement Ceremony.

The recipients of the 2024 Graduation Awards were also recognized during the ceremony. These awards are determined by a graduate's final grade in specific coursework, total pro bono service hours, or being nominated by a faculty member. These include:

• Kaycie Apfel, Nathan Price Chaney Memorial Award - Technology and the Law
• Elli Archbold, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award
• Gunnar Bartlett, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Jon Berry, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award
• Kate Braboy, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Mills Bryant, Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Team Award, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Brett Callaway, High Academic Achievement Award, Craig Sterne Memorial Award - Estate Planning and Taxation
• Ben Cameron, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award
• Jack Curtis, Bogle-Sharp Award, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award
• Ethan Davis, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Robin Davis, Pro Bono Gold Medallion
• Raquel De Castro, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Samantha Doss, Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, Bard Rogan Natural Resources Award
• Jissel Esparza Saucedo, Erron and Libby Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law School Publications, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Grace Faulkenberry, Pro Bono Gold Medallion
• Jeffrey Foor, Pro Bono Gold Medallion
• Noah Fowler, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Brett Garner, Medico Legal Prize
• Adrian Hannah, Joe C. Barrett Commercial Law Award
• Harrison Howle, W.J. Arnold Memorial Award
• Travis Linn, Peer-Elected Commencement Speaker, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award
• Braden Little, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Mikayla Jayroe, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award
• Gabriela Lopez-Gardner, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Callie Marsh, Pro Bono Gold Medallion
• Marcus Montgomery, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Tori Moore, Gold Pro Bono Medallion
• Michaela Parks, T.C. and Rosemary Carlson Memorial Award - Constitutional Law, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Hailey Petit, Robert F. Fussell Community Engagement Award, Pro Bono Gold Medallion
• Caitlin Robb, James H. McKenzie Award for Professional Responsibility and Ethics, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Lexi Robertson, Outstanding Contribution to the Law School Community Award, Legal Aid of Arkansas Student of the Year, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Lexie Rook, Academic Achievement Award
• Kelsi Scarlett, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award
• Hunter Simmons, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Amber Skinner, Robert F. Fussell Pro Bono Award, Pro Bono Gold Medallion
• Elizabeth Strickland, M. Jeff Starling, Jr. Award - Labor and Employment Law, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Erin Wadley, W.B. Putman American Inn of Court Pupil Award, Pro Bono Silver Medallion
• Tanner Weber, Pro Bono Silver Medallion

About the School of Law: The law school offers J.D. as well as an advanced LL.M. program, with classes taught by nationally recognized faculty. The school offers unique opportunities for students to participate in pro bono work, externships, live client clinics, advocacy and journal experiences, and food and agriculture initiatives. From admitting the Six Pioneers who were the first African American students to attend law school in the South without a court order to graduating governors, judges, prosecutors, and faculty who went on to become president of the United States and secretary of state, the law school has a rich history and culture. Follow us at @uarklaw.