Student Spotlights College of Law Muslim Law Student Association
The Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA) along with the Muslim Student Association (MSA) sponsors an annual event called the FAST-A-THON. The event takes place during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. For one day we get our fellow classmates, co-workers, professors, and deans to fast with us from sunrise to sunset. At the end of the fast, we have a banquet dinner to celebrate their accomplishment. For every individual that agrees to fast, a local business agrees to sponsor them and donate funds. The more the participants, the more money is raised for a charitable organization that helps fight hunger.
This year, the FAST-A-THON took place on September 17th, with 400 participants. We raised a total of $3,000 for The Rescue Mission. “We could not have accomplished such a feat without the support of our participants and supporters. The MLSA would like to thank all our participants, including Dean Denby, Dean Epsilanty, Dean Day, Professor Bell, Professor McDonald, Office of Student Life and the Law School Senate for their support.”
This year, at the banquet, Imam Siraj Wahaj, a prominent Muslim scholar who has worked tirelessly to encourage interfaith dialogue, was the keynote speaker.
College of Law's National Trial Competition Team
The Syracuse team of Haley Campbell, Jimmy McCurdy, Ravi Patel and Sugam Langer defeated Brooklyn in one semi-final and will advance to the National Finals in San Antonio, Texas March 25. This is the second consecutive appearance for SUCOL at the National Finals. The second team consisting of Meghan Reardon, Brandon Cotter and Jennifer Brooks lost by 2 points (with the judges tied) to a Cardozo team. Third Year Meghan Reardon won the Anthony J. DeMarco, Jr. Best Overall Advocate Award ahead of 72 contestants and teammate Brandon Cotter was runner up by just .2 of a point. The Syracuse teams were coached by Joanne Van Dyke, Joe Cote and Jean Marie Westlake. The teams also had the assistance of a number of local judges.
College of Law's Women's Basketball Team
The SU Law School women's basketball team returned victorious from the the Western New England College (WNEC) School of Law's 34th Annual Basketball Invitational. The team captured their second consecutive championship after roaring from behind to score a 40-33 win on Sunday, February 15th in the championship game of the northeast's only law schools tournament. Trailing by a point with less than four minutes left in the game, the SU women ran off 11 of the game's last 14 points to complete a 5-0 record in two days of play among law school teams from New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New England. Posing with players Jessica Monaco (3L), Leah Witmer (2L), Michelle Tarlecki (1L), Kylie Tsudama (1L), Kara Krueger (1L), Andreana Stoker (1L), and Ashley Kaplan (1L) is their coach, Professor Peter Bell.
College of Law's National Appellate Moot Court Team
We would like to recognize the success of the College of Law's National Appellate Moot Court team members for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 competitions. Team members Emily Brown, Dominic D'Imperio, and Brandon Maggiore were medalists and won the regional final rounds during the Fall of 2007, Mr. D'Imperio also won the Best Advocate Aware, with the team advancing to the National Competition held in New Yrok City in February 2008. For the 2008-2009 season, the team were medalists and finalists in the regional rounds and advanced again to the National Finals in New York City, with Mr. D'Imperio wining Best Advocate in the Regional Round for the second straight year. The team was coached by Professor Richard Risman.
Kyle Somers
Kyle Somers is a third year student who has managed to stay actively inovlved througout his time at SUCOL. Kyle is a joint degree student earning both a Juris Doctor and Master's in Media Management through the S.I. Newhouse School of Communication and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Currently, Kyle is the Editor in Chief of the Syracuse Law Review, a Graduate Assistant for the Institute for the Study of the Judiciary, Politics and the Media at SU. Last year, Kyle served as President of the Communications Law & Policy Society as well as Mentor in the SUCOL Student Mentor Program. In addition, Kyle works closely with the Office of Admissions as a Law School Ambassador and participates in the Student Connections Program. Kyle is a recipient of the Mark Kessel Scholarship for excellence in academics and leadership.Patrick O'Hara
Patrick is a third year student that has made the most of his time here at SUCOL. This year alone, Patrick has served as Chair of the Mentor Program, as well as one of the Co-Director of the Moot Court Grossman Trial Competition. Last year, he served as President of the Irish American Law Students's Association and helped organize service events in the Tipp Hill area. Patrick has accepted a position at Lowenstein & Sandler and will be working in Investment Management and Mergers & Acquisitions in the New Jersey office. Patrick and his wife Nichole are expecting their first child in April.
Sarah Benczik
Sarah Benczik is a second year law student who is a good example of someone who can manage multiple responsibilities while ensuring her own success. She currently serves as a Student Ambassador, Peer Leader in the Academic Achievement Program and is a Research Assistant to Professor Juscelino Colares. Sarah is on Law Review, a member of the Jessup Moot Court Team and is Vice President of the International Law Society. In addition, Sarah is also an extern at the U.S. Attorney's Office. This summer, Sarah will be working in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as part of tHonors Legal Intern Program.
Bryan Georgiady
Bryan Georgiady, Law Class of 2009, has been selected to receive the Phil Cowan Memorial/BMI award given by the Entertainment, Art and Sports Section of the New York State Bar Association. The award will be granted for the paper he submitted to the Memorial Competition. The award will be given publically to Mr. Georgiady at the opening of the Section meeting during the New York State Bar Association meeting on January 26, 2009 at 1:00pm at the Marriott Marquis. In addition to a scholarship award, Mr. Georgiady's paper will be published in the Entertainment, Art and Sports Law Journal.
Olivia Truong
Olivia Truong is being commended for her leadership and commitment to the College of Law Community. Olivia is the President of the Class of 2010 and is currently a LEO Tutor in SUCOL’sAcademic Achievement Program. Since her 1L year, Olivia has coordinated the Thanksgiving Food Drive where over 2118 lbs of food was collected to feed about 450 families. She was instrumental in rallying participation from everyone, including faculty and staff. For her efforts, she was awarded the Community Service Award from The Office of Student Life. In her role as a Tutor, she provides support to her colleagues and goes above and beyond to ensure their academic success. In her own words, Olivia states that she “finds great value in the program. Personally, tutoring has been a rewarding and a humbling experience. An interesting and unique exchange happens. While I’m imparting on them how I would approach an issue, I can also see their point-of-view. Helping them find their own workable ways has been awesome.” Olivia has a great spirit of kindness, understanding and compassion and we all benefit from her presence here at the College of Law.