The 50th Commencement Week at Vermont Law and Graduate School brought many reasons to celebrate! The unique achievements of our graduating students were recognized throughout the weekend, both at a dedicated awards ceremony and during the Commencement festivities.
Scroll down for the full list of awards and their recipients. Congratulations to all!
Awards
Academic Leadership Award – Kelli Cigelnik JD/MCEP’26 and Katie Spring JD/MERL’26
Presented by Dayna Smith JD’20, Director of the Academic Success Program
Awarded to graduating students who best exemplified citizenship through integrating academic achievement and leadership skills to serve as role models for other students.
Academic Advancement Award – John Stockham (aka) Wumiyayôh Wuskêsuqquâh JD/MERL’26
Presented by Professor Joseph Brennan
Awarded to the graduating student who has, over the course of the student’s academic career, made great academic advances from their first to last year of law school.
International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award – Phoebe Cykosky JD’26
Presented by Catherine Fregosi JD’16, Assistant Director of the Legal Writing Program
Awarded to a graduating student for distinguished achievement in the art and science of advocacy.
National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Student Award – Emily Dwight JD/MERL’26
Presented by Stephanie Clark, Vice Dean for Students
Awarded to the individual in the community whose personal contributions have helped advance women lawyers and promote diversity in the legal profession.
Diversity Award – Suhey G. Aguirre Morales JD‘26 and Youcef Adjiri JD/MARJ’26
Presented by Siu Tip Lam, Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Awarded in recognition of inspiring multicultural awareness in the Vermont Law and Graduate School community.
Shirley Jefferson Perseverance Award – Lara Herrmann JD/MAPP’26
Presented by Laura Ireland, Associate Director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute
Awarded to a graduating student who demonstrated extraordinary tenacity and perseverance in the face of adversity.
John Delemarre Award – Cassidy McMann JD/MCEP’26
Presented by Kim Harris, Vice President for People and Operations
Awarded to a graduating student for outstanding service to the Vermont Law and Graduate School community in the achievement and stewardship of the school’s physical environment.
Marc Mihaly Environmental Leadership Award – Joe Anderson JD’26 and Reena Garcia JD/MAPP’26
Presented by Christophe Courchesne, Director of the Environmental Advocacy Clinic and Environmental Law Center
Awarded to students who best demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of environmental law.
Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Clinic Student Award – Ariana Richmond JD’26
Presented by Professor Christopher Worth
Awarded to a graduating student for excellence in clinical fieldwork based on the high quality of representation provided to clients and for exceptionally thoughtful, self-reflective participation in an accompanying clinical seminar.
Outstanding Online Graduate Award – Jane McNeill LLM’26
Presented by Delci Winders, Director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute
Awarded to a graduating student who achieved high academic success during their time at Vermont Law and Graduate School and plans to use their degree to serve the community and the world.
Dean’s Leadership Award, JD – Julia Wickham JD’26 and Gabriella Peterson JD’26
Presented by Beth McCormack, Law School Dean
The Dean’s Leadership Awards are awarded at the discretion of the deans to graduating students in appreciation for outstanding loyalty and devotion to the Vermont Law and Graduate School community.
Dean’s Leadership Award, Master’s – Sara Moore MCEP’26
Presented by Dan Bromberg, Graduate School Dean
The Dean’s Leadership Awards are awarded at the discretion of the deans to graduating students in appreciation for outstanding loyalty and devotion to the Vermont Law and Graduate School community.
The Learned Hand Award for Academic Excellence – Ben Albertson JD’26 and Andrew Larson JD’26
Presented at Vermont Law and Graduate School’s 50th Commencement Ceremony
Endowed by a gift from the late Judge Sterry R. Waterman, the Learned Hand Award is the symbol of Vermont Law and Graduate School’s goal of contribution to the larger community through the pursuit of academic excellence. Each year it is awarded to two graduates, one from the residential JD program and one from the Online Hybrid JD (OHJD) program, with the highest cumulative grade point average within their program. These graduates are representatives of those who have striven for academic excellence, following Learned Hand’s example.
The Maximilian W. Kempner Award – Kaya Mark JD/MCEP’26
Presented at Vermont Law and Graduate School’s 50th Commencement Ceremony
The Maximilian W. Kempner Award was established in 1996 to honor the fifth dean of the law school. As a practicing lawyer, member of numerous groups and organizations seeking to iimprove our administration of justice, and dean of Vermont Law School, Max Kempner brought dignity and civility to the profession. By personal example, he sought to hold the profession and its members to the highest standards of competence, integrity, respect, fair-mindedness, and public service. The award is given each year to the graduate who best exemplifies these attributes.
The Lex Pro Urbe et Orbe Award – Nakyshia Fralin JD’26
Presented at Vermont Law and Graduate School’s 50th Commencement Ceremony
The Lex Pro Urbe et Orbe Award was created in 1979 by the Vermont Law and Graduate School Alumni Association (VLGSAA) in recognition of the many contributions that students make within the campus community. This award is given annually to a graduate who is selected by the VLGSAA Board of Directors, in honor of the individual’s thoughtful interest in, and dedication to, enriching the VLGS community.