RALEIGH — Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law conferred 183 Juris Doctor degrees on Friday during its 47th hooding and graduation ceremony at the Martin Marietta Center in downtown Raleigh.
The Class of 2025 marks the largest graduating class in the law school’s history, said Dean J. Rich Leonard.
“Standing here in my 12th year as your dean, I have enormous confidence in the superb quality of our legal education program,” Leonard told the graduates. “In my final words to this class I love, we have taught you to analyze an issue thoroughly, write persuasively and stand on your feet and comfortably defend your position … Hopefully we have taught you to follow your own moral compass. And we have put you out in this community, in externships, clinics, pro bono initiatives and mentorships to learn how the practice of law works. You are ready. And your skills are desperately needed.”
North Carolina’s Attorney General Jeff Jackson in his first commencement address in his new role told the graduates his mission was to help them feel a little less anxious about their future including the upcoming bar exam and subsequent job hunt.
“Campbell does the best job of preparing students for the bar exam of any school in the state,” he said. “You are in such a stronger position than I was walking into that test. You are going to be OK…for those of you who don’t have something lined up, if you are applying anywhere in North Carolina, you have an advantage because Campbell Law is widely known and … it’s well regarded.”
Jackson added, “You just ran a three-year long marathon that fewer than half a percent of anyone in our country has ever run. You don’t need to worry about your place in this world, the world needs to worry about you. You’re going to crush it!!
Retiring Dean Emerita and Professor Melissa Essary, in her last official duty for the law school, hooded the graduates.
Nottingham Law School Deputy Dean Matthew Homewood on behalf of Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, bestowed three Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees to the following:
- Shannon Jessica Baker of Clements, Maryland
- Vincenzo Conciatori of Charlotte (not present)
- Sydney A. Hussey of Maitland, Florida
- Evelyn E. Morris of Kings Mountain
- Jenna R. Roberts of Four Oaks
- Taryn Wilkins of Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Sarah Michele Varela of Fuquay-Varina
“I would like to congratulate those who have been awarded their LL.M.s from Nottingham Trent University,” Homewood said. “Like Campbell, we believe in equal access to justice.”
Student Bar Association President Cole S. Halum gave the invocation, while Valedictorian Matthew Scott Daubenspeck told his classmates in his farewell that his experience at Campbell confirmed to him that law is a vocation, a calling and more than a job.
Leonard wrapped up his remarks saying, “I hope you will leave here with a fervent belief in the rule of law, that it is only through belief in and loyalty to our common system that problems can be fairly addressed. I hope you understand that truth cannot be manufactured but is objective, and no process has ever been better at finding truth than our legal system. I hope you believe in the intrinsic value of all of God’s children, and their right, as we say in our founding document, to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” As you spread out across big firms and small, big cities and small hamlets, private, public, academic and corporate positions, I hope you leave here as warriors for democracy and justice.”
Legal Research and Writing Professor Robert Montgomery in his last act before retiring gave the benediction, adding “remember the law is not only a profession, but a calling.”
Find more photos of the ceremony on the law school’s Facebook page at this link and watch the graduation ceremony’s YouTube recording at this link.
As part of the graduation ceremony, the following awards were announced:
The Howard Memorial Christian Citizenship Award is awarded to the individual whose citizenship and leadership exemplify the Christian character and aspirations of the School of Law. Established by the Howard Memorial Christian Education Fund in memory of Barry Howard.
- Mollie P. Sells of Chesapeake, Virginia
The Third-Year Academic Achievement Award is awarded to the graduating student with the highest academic average in his or her third year.
- Matthew Scott Daubenspeck of Raleigh
The Richard A. and Nikki A. Lord Outstanding Graduate Award is awarded to the individual who excels academically as well as in additional endeavors thereby contributing fully to the School of Law, his or her peers, and the legal profession. This award, which recognizes overall excellence, was established by Campbell Law Professor Emeritus Richard A. Lord.
- Patrick M. Thurston of Ojai, California
The Jessie and Elizabeth Leonard Valedictorian Award established by Dean J. Rich Leonard for the graduating valedictorian, named in honor and memory of his parents.
- Matthew Scott Daubenspeck of Raleigh
The Dean’s Outstanding Improvement Award is awarded to the individual exhibiting the most outstanding academic improvement over his or her law school career. The recipient is selected by the Dean and Associate Dean.
- Julia Smith of Raleigh
The Robert A. Jenkins Award is awarded to the individual whose work in various competitions or other areas best represents the School of Law to the community, the profession and the public.
- Samantha Border of Greenville
The National Association of Women Lawyers Award is awarded to an individual based on academic achievement, motivation, and potential to contribute to the advancement of women in the profession.
- Darrah Perry of Kannapolis
The Norman Adrian Wiggins Estate Planning Award is in memory of Dr. Norman Adrian Wiggins, the late president and chancellor of Campbell University, in recognition of the best performance in the estate tax and planning area.
- Jennifer E. Woy of Raleigh
The Student Bar Association Service Award is awarded to the individual who provides unusual service to the student body and the School of Law.
- Cole S. Hallum of Ralegih
The International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award is awarded for distinguished achievement in the student advocacy program.
- Megan E. Pope of Coats
The North Carolina Advocates for Justice Student Advocacy Awards
These awards are presented to the students showing the most significant improvement during their required Trial Advocacy performance sections as evidenced by their performance and grade; leadership endeavors; academic success; and collegial respect and work ethic. These awards are sponsored by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. This year’s recipients are:
- Matthew Scott Daubenspeck of Raleigh
- Sierra Robertson of Greensboro
The Calhoun Advocacy Award is awarded for the best performance in the trial and appellate advocacy program. Established by M. Jean Calhoun, Class of 1980.
- Austin R. Graham of Boone
The Safran Moot Court Award is awarded for outstanding contribution to the moot court program at the School of Law. Established by Perry R. Safran, Class of 1981.
- Carolyn N. Bencini of High Point
The Pro Bono Publico Award is awarded to the individual whose demonstrated commitment to pro bono activities exemplifies the aspirations of the School of Law and the best intentions of the legal profession.
- Taryn Wilkins of Harrisonburg, Virginia
The Outstanding Clinical Student Award is awarded for excellence in clinical fieldwork and for exceptionally thoughtful, self-reflective participation in an accompanying clinical seminar. Sponsored by the Clinical Legal Education Association.
- Andrew T. Evans of Raleigh
The Outstanding Externship Student Award is awarded for excellence in clinical fieldwork and for exceptionally thoughtful, self-reflective participation in an accompanying externship course. Sponsored by the Clinical Legal Education Association.
- Milena Benitez of Ellicott City, Maryland
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Student Award is a cash award given to the graduating student who has exhibited the competency, ethics, and skills to elevate the practice of family law. It is sponsored by the North Carolina chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
- Andrea R. Renegar-King of Harmony
The National Jurist Law Student of the Year Award
This national award recognizes outstanding students from across the country who have done the most to give back to their school and/or community in the previous calendar year.
- Bryanna N. Farmer of Manassas, Virginia
The Order of Barristers
Membership in the national society recognizing outstanding performance in the art of advocacy. This year’s recipients are:
- Carolyn N. Bencini of High Point
- Madison M. Bennett of Chapel Hill
- Samantha Border of Greenville
- Grant I. Draughn of Thomasville
- Austin R. Graham of Boone
- Jessica M. McClellan of Greenville
- Megan E. Pope of Coats
- Julia Smith of Raleigh
- Zannah Tyndall of Clinton
- Alex C. Urban of Walstonburg
Order of Old Kivett
Awarded for exemplary representation in advocacy competitions while maintaining the highest ethical standards. This year’s recipients are:
- Kelsee Angell of Ypsilanti, Michigan
- Kendall E. Barbour of Dunn
- Kayla R. Black of Asheville
- Dakhari J. Davis of Fayetteville
- Ann Fields of Southern Pines
- Sofia M. Gomez-Ayala of Mexico City, Mexico
- William N. Greene of High Point
- Akram R. Hauter of Wake Forest
- Nathaniel K. Liland of New Bern
- Blake E. Swanner of Bear Grass
Summa Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with highest distinction. The recipients of this honor are:
- Matthew Scott Daubenspeck of Raleigh
- Sarah A. Kilgore of Charlotte
- Patrick M. Thurston of Ojai, California
Magna Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with great distinction. The recipients of this honor are:
- Wesley M. Charles-Craft of Bayboro
- Ryann M. Griffin of Snow Hill
- Allison L. Heitchue of Wilmington
- Abigail R. Jenkins of Wilmington
- Kathrynn D. Johnston of Raleigh
- Amanda Marenna of Davidson
- Thomas W. Polster of Chapel Hill
- Robert W. Reagan of Wilmington
- Mollie P. Sells of Chesapeake, Virginia
- Julia Smith of Raleigh
- Sarah W. Strickland of Salemburg
- Kayla Zollinger of Hurst, Texas
Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with distinction. The recipients of this honor are:
- Janelle Ariota of Pullayup, Washington
- George S. Bennett of Lynchburg, Virginia
- Gabrielle E. Bollinger of Kent Island, Maryland
- Sara W. Bryant of Concord
- Ceiran Crihfield of Chapel Hill
- Tatem O. Daniel of Wrightsville Beach
- Megan Demeny of Maiden
- Andrew T. Evans of Raleigh
- Lauryl E. Fright of Garner
- Cole S. Hallum of Raleigh
- Zoe K. Holleran of Kinston
- Stephanie G. Kite of Unionville
- Brianna Kolsin of Staten Island, New York
- Jessica K. Marks of Dallas, Texas
- Mary R. Mintz of Hampstead
- Jeffrey P. Moore of Greenville
- Emily L. Polk of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Andrea R. Renegar-King of Harmony
- Sydney C. Scott of Charlotte
- Philip A. Simons of Salisbury
- Jonathan R. Swedborg of Southern Pines
- Blake E. Swanner of Bear Grass
- Kyle D. Syvarth of Marietta, Georgia
- Allison L. Wade of Walstonburg
- Taryn Wilkins of Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Colin D. Williams of Goldsboro
- Benjamin J. Winn of Winchester, Virginia
- Aleea P. Winston of Emerald Isle
- Jennifer E. Woy of Raleigh
Campbell Law congratulates each of you on your academic achievements!
ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL
Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation’s top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation’s best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts nearly 5,000 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2026, Campbell Law will celebrate 50 years of graduating legal leaders and 17 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina’s Capital City.