On October 13, Fordham Law’s 27th Annual Student Excellence Awards ceremony took place over Zoom. Presented to the students in the first-year mini-sections, the second-year day and evening programs, and the third-year evening program, the awards honored dozens of students who attained the highest weighted average for their studies throughout the 2020-2021 academic year.
“Normally, celebrations and honors like this take place at graduation, so it’s very special to be able to pause in the middle of a busy school year to honor you and to celebrate your achievements,” said Dean Matthew Diller during the event’s opening remarks.
“I also know that the year 2021 was a particularly tough year to be a law student and you all persevered through very difficult situations,” Diller continued. “As your Dean, I congratulate you and we all look forward to working with you and watching you go forth into the world to do great things.”
See this year’s award winners below.
First-Year Day and Evening Programs
Carly Weisen ’23, Section 1
Caroline Whalen ’23, Section 2
Abigail Tubin ’23, Section 3
Anastasia Lacina ’23, Section 4
Brian Giacalone ’23, Section 5
Leigh Forsyth ’23, Section 6
Alexander Breindel ’23, Section 7
Aydin Benoit-Savci ’23, Section 8
Michael Hamilton ’23, Section 8
Wen Zhang ’24, Section 9
Second-Year Day Program
Ryan Wilkins ’22
Second-Year Evening Program
Joseph Powers ’23
Third-Year Evening Program
P. Hornbeck ’22
The Fordham Legal Writing Award
Presented to first-year students for scholastic excellence in Legal Writing for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Katherine L. Buoymaster ’23, 1A
Stephanie J. Scanzillo ’23, 1B
Emma A. Evans ’23, 2A
Michael McEvoy ’23, 2B
Benjamin T. Colao ’23, 3A
Katherine B. Hyman ’23, 3B
Luis Miguel M. Del Rosario ’23, 4A
Emily L. Mandell ’23, 4B
Shira M. Bergman ’23, 5A
Katharine Keane ’23, 5B
Alexis Pawlowski ’23, 6A
Alysia Lo ’23, 6B
Danielle L. Cepelewicz ’23, 7A
Vira Tarnavska ’23, 7B
Fathia A. Dawodu ’23, 8A
Amira N. Kingori ’23, 8B
Matthew A. Bultman ’24, 9A
Sung Soo Lee ’24, 9B
John D. McLaughlin ’24, 9C
Wen Zhang ’24, 9D
Devon C. Smith ’23, C
Elizabeth Gudgel ’23, D
Kaleb M. Underwood ’23, E
Yuchen Xie ’23, E
Kevin S. Green ’23, F
Miles C. Patton ’23, G
Katharine L. Tubby ’23, H
The David Dawes Nee II Memorial Award
The David Dawes Nee II Memorial Award is given to a 2L/2E/3E competitor who has demonstrated excellence in oral advocacy and commitment to assisting others in their pursuit of excellence.
Jack Barton ’22