The Maurice A. Deane School of Law held its annual Graduates Celebration and Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2015. Administrators, faculty members, friends and families joined Hofstra Law graduates at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse at Hofstra University to honor their outstanding achievements as law school students.
Teacher of the Year Kevin McElroy, associate professor of legal writing, delivered remarks, encouraging students to “remember what you have done. Build on it. And enjoy this day.” Student Bar Association Representative Courtney Klapper shared in her remarks, “What makes me proud to be a Hofstra Law graduate is the people,” and Class Speaker David Ackerman concluded with, “Keep your eyes on the Class of 2015. I guarantee you will see something truly magical.”
The following select 2015 graduation awards were presented at the Graduates Celebration and Awards ceremony:
Maurice A. Deane Award — Chelsea Plushanski
Outstanding Law Student Award — Sean Simensky
Distinguished Service to the School Award — Courtney Klapper
Gina Maria Escarce Memorial Scholarship — James Meehan and Jacqueline Smith
The William Eric Goldberg Scholarship — Allison Flood and Jaclyn Waters
Third-Year Scholastic Achievement Award — Allyson Beach, Chelsea Plushanski and Amanda Senske
Pro Bono Service Award of Excellence — Julia Elmaleh-Sachs and Carolyn Kim
Pro Bono Leadership Award — Steven Lee
Deborah Sloyer Memorial Scholarship in Trial Advocacy — Cassandra Branch
Herman Hillman Real Estate Award — Chelsea Plushanski
Hofstra Law Review Alumni Writing Award — Addie Katz
Leon Stern Award of the Criminal Courts Bar Association of Nassau County — Estefania Taranto
Marvin Gutter ’76 Graduate Award in Tax Law — Jeffrey Anand
Benjamin Weintraub and Alan Resnick Bankruptcy Law Award — Bryan Cimala
Judge Edward Hart Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Trial Advocacy — Andres Sanchez and Aaron Spurlock
Stephanie E. Kupferman Juvenile Justice Endowed Scholarship — Rachel Summer
The Honorable David A. Paterson Graduation Award in Public Service — Ashley Guarino