Law students, faculty, and staff honored

Several UND School of Law students, faculty, and staff received awards on Tuesday, April 16, at the School’s 2024 Awards Ceremony. The event took place in the VandeWalle Courtroom and honored recipients for academics, leadership, teaching, advising, achievement, service, and excellence, including:

Student Awards

International Human Rights Organization Advocacy Award for Leadership – Mishaye Belgarde, 3L

  • Given to a student for their dedication, hard work, service to the community, and advocacy on behalf of human rights through the IHRO.
Mishaye Belgarde and Professor Julia Ernst

Multicultural Law Students Association Advocacy Award for Leadership – Aryan Siadat, 3L

  • Given to a student for their dedication, hard work, service to the community, and advocacy on behalf of social justice and diversity through the MLSA.
Aryan Siadat and Professor Julia Ernst

Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Clinical Student Award – AnneMarie Studer, 3L

  • Recognizes one student or team who has demonstrated excellence in the field work component of the clinic course, excellence in the seminar component of the clinic course, and the nature and extent of the student’s contribution to the clinical community at the law school, legal community, or broader community, if relevant. Recipient must graduate during or after the academic year in which the award is given.
AnneMarie Studer and Professor Ariana Meyers

Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Externship Student Award – Vicki Alberts, 3L

  • Recognizes one student who has demonstrated excellence in the field work component of the externship course, excellence in the seminar component of the externship, and the nature and extent of the student’s contribution to the clinical community at the law school, legal community, or broader community, if relevant. Recipient must graduate during or after the academic year in which the award is given.
Vicki Alberts and Patricia Hodny

Jack Marcil Advocacy Scholarship – Cassandra Molivigny, 3L and Emerson Solemsaas, 3L

  • Awarded to third-year students who demonstrate professionalism, skill, knowledge, and ability in the area of trial and appellant advocacy.
L-R: Jack Marcil, Emerson Solemsaas, and Dean Brad Parrish. Not pictured, Cassandra Molivigny

Jack Marcil Alternative Dispute Resolution Scholarship – McKoehm Tschider, 2L

  • Awarded to a top student in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Class
L-R: Jack Marcil, McKoehm Tschider, Dean Brad Parrish

Outstanding Law Student Leader – Jack Blotsky, 3L

  • Selected by a vote of students, faculty, and staff, the annual award recognizes one student who has made significant contributions to the UND Law community through leadership and/or involvement.
Jack Blotsky and Dean Brad Parrish

Outstanding law Student Organization – Law Women’s Caucus

  • Selected by a vote of students, faculty, and staff, this award is given to a UND School of Law student organization that has made a positive impact on the University of North Dakota Campus and the local legal community during the academic year by providing opportunities to engage, learn, and lead. Organization members shall demonstrate professionalism, the ability to work as a team, and show leadership.

Faculty and Staff Awards

Outstanding Law Student Organization Advisor Award – Blake Klinkner, Assistant Professor of Law

  • Selected by a vote of students, faculty, and staff, this award is presented to an advisor of a law student organization who has had a positive impact on the organization and the law school community. Demonstrates strong advising skills, is readily available to students, and takes great strides to help the organization’s leaders. Went above and beyond advising duties.
Professor Blake Klinkner and Dean Brian Pappas

Staff Excellence Award – Mary Feller, Director of Career Development

  • Given to a staff member who went above and beyond in support of faculty, staff, or students.
Mary Feller and Dean Brian Pappas

Webb Faculty Achievement Award – Alexandra Sickler, Archie Unterseher Professor of Law

  • The annual award present to one or more faculty members in recognition of outstanding scholarship in the legal field. The award will recognize outstanding writing or oral presentation.
Professor Alexandra Sickler and Dean Brian Pappas

Randy H. Lee Faculty Teaching Award – Carolyn Williams, Assistant Professor of Law

  • Awarded to a faculty member in recogntion of outstanding teaching.
Professor Carolyn Williams and Dean Brian Pappas

Randy H. Lee Faculty Service Award – Dan Lewerenz, Assistant Professor of Law

  • Awarded to a faculty member who has provided outstanding service to UND School of Law and the legal profession.
Professor Dan Lewerenz and Dean Brian Pappas

Outstanding Service to UND School of Law – Joseph LaPorte, Building Services Technician, Facilities Management

  • In recognition of 20 years of outstanding service to the University of North Dakota, four of which were at the School of Law, upon his retirement.
Joe LaPorte and Dean Brian Pappas

The ceremony concluded with a surprise from Dean Brian Pappas announcing that Professor Julia Ernst will be named the next Floyd B. Sperry Professor of Law at the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year. The Floyd B. Sperry professorship shall be awarded by the Dean of the UND School of Law to worthy and deserving members of the School of Law faculty. Professor Ernst will be honored at the UND Faculty Investiture Ceremony & Celebration in August where she will be formally “invested” and receive a special medallion.

Professor Julia Ernst reacts to the announcement that she will be the next Floyd B. Sperry Professor of Law.
Professor Julia Ernst and Dean Brian Pappas