RALEIGH — Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law made history Friday, when it conferred 173 Juris Doctor degrees — the largest number in the law school’s 46 graduations — during its 46th hooding and graduation ceremony at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.
“Standing here in my 11th year as your dean, I have enormous confidence in the superb quality of our legal education program,” Dean J. Rich Leonard told the graduates. “You are ready.
“I hope you leave here with a fervent commitment to the rule of law, that it is only through belief in and loyalty to our common system that our 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. 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 for justice.”
North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, a popular longtime adjunct professor, was the commencement speaker. He told the graduates they are entering the practice of law just as the state of North Carolina’s 50-year old court system is moving online with the use of electronic filing, with the goal of providing greater access to justice.
“My court has begun doing livestreams, and we have been able to get more efficient because justice delayed is justice denied. These are my guiding principles. What are yours? What is the reason you chose law? You’re obviously very bright. Studies show your generation wants to make a difference. You want to earn money, but you want to truly make a difference. You want to leave things better than they were. Surely, I try every day to do that with treatment courts and always considering, ‘How can we help children?’”
Newby said Campbell Law has provided the graduates with a great opportunity to be part of a community. “Life is tough. I don’t care who you are, we need each other.”
Nottingham Law School Deputy Dean Matthew Homewood on behalf of Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, bestowed six Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees to:
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Maria Camila Alzate of Greenville, South Carolina;
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Ryan Boyce of Cary;
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Shelby Godwin of Rocky Mount;
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Christopher Thomas Hamby of Wilkesboro;
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Anthony Dante Jennings of Colonial Heights, Virginia; and
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Kevin John Sebastian of Morrisville.
Jennings, who also earned his J.D., was the recipient of the Nottingham Law School’s Dean’s Award.
“His thesis was an exceptional piece of work,” Homewood said. “I am delighted to be here with you. Graduation for me is the absolute highlight of the academic year. The experiences you’ve had at Campbell Law have prepared you exceptionally well for your career ahead. Nottingham Law School is celebrating 60 years. Our school builds courage, competency and leadership and, like Campbell, we believe in legal access to justice.
“Enjoy every part of this important day and take a moment to reflect on just what you have achieved. Congratulations.”
Valedictorian Chase H. Freeman of Pine Knoll Shores told his classmates, “We have all received a calling to provide counsel to those in need. As Professor (Richard) Bowser would say, we have gone through the liturgy of law school. We should always be civil. Our highest calling is to love and serve others in all that we do … we should never cease in our pursuit of knowledge. As we transition from students to attorneys we need to remember to seek out others and we must express our gratitude for those who helped us on this journey whether it is a family member, a friend or a mentor. We need to remember to reach out and thank them. As Campbell lawyers, we must be worthy of the calling we received. Class of 2024 we did it!
Student Bar Association President William Ashley Sparks of Mount Airy gave the invocation, praying, “Give us grace, mercy and understanding to help us navigate our legal careers … we pray we make our families proud, we make Campbell Law proud and we make You proud.”
Assistant Dean of Student Life, Pro Bono Opportunities and Belonging Regina Chavis ‘20 gave the benediction, saying, “Help us to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with You to help us serve and to help us to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
Find more photos of the ceremony on the law school’s Facebook page at this link and watch the graduation ceremony’s livestream recording at this link.
As part of the graduation ceremony, Professor Olivia Weeks ‘90, who is celebrating her 40th year with Campbell University, presented the following awards:
The Howard Memorial Christian Citizenship Award is given to the individual whose citizenship and leadership exemplify the Christian character and aspirations of the law school. Established by the Howard Memorial Christian Education Fund in memory of Barry Howard.
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Nathaniel J. Bowers of Raleigh
The Third-Year Academic Achievement Award is given to the graduating student with the highest academic average in his or her third year.
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Chase H. Freeman of Pine Knoll Shores
The Richard A. and Nikki A. Lord Outstanding Graduate Award is given 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.
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Jacob Dorsett Bunting of Belews Creek
The Jessie and Elizabeth Leonard Valedictorian Award was established by Dean J. Rich Leonard for the graduating valedictorian, named in honor and memory of his parents.
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Chase H. Freeman of Pine Knoll Shores
The Dean’s Outstanding Improvement Award is given 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.
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Tomas Nazer-Paniagua of Concord
The Robert A. Jenkins Award is given 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.
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Sydney Elizabeth Kraft of Fayetteville
The National Association of Women Lawyers Award is given to an individual based on academic achievement, motivation and potential to contribute to the advancement of women in the profession.
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Kelly Chauvin Kramarenko of Hillsborough
The Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake Jr. Constitutional Law Award is given to the student who has demonstrated excellence in the area of constitutional law. Established by The Honorable I. Beverly Lake.
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Cassidy Lauren Willard of Mount Airy
The Student Bar Association Service Award is given to the individual who provides unusual service to the student body and the law school.
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Victoria Mabe Boyte of Carthage
The International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award is given for distinguished achievement in the student advocacy program.
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Susannah Hope Horton of Mount Ulla
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:
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Emily Grace Askew of Zebulon
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Julian Andres Manrique of Coral Springs, Florida
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Emily Rose Murphy of Delmar, New York
The Calhoun Advocacy Award is given for the best performance in the trial and appellate advocacy program. Established by M. Jean Calhoun, Class of 1980.
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Jay Calvin Thomas of Apex
The Safran Moot Court Award is given for outstanding contribution to the moot court program at the law school. Established by Perry R. Safran, Class of 1981.
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Matthew Briant Couch of Morehead City
The Rebecca Ann Phillips Memorial Award was established by the Class of 2011 in memory of their classmate. It is awarded to the individual who exemplifies honorable ideals and demonstrates an interest in representing victims of domestic violence.
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Emma Lynn Tillotson of Greenville, South Carolina
The Pro Bono Publico Award is given to the individual whose demonstrated commitment to pro bono activities exemplifies the aspirations of the law school and the best intentions of the legal profession.
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Kelly Chauvin Kramarenko of Hillsborough
The Outstanding Clinical Student Award is given for excellence in clinical fieldwork and for exceptionally thoughtful, self-reflective participation in an accompanying clinical seminar. Sponsored by the Clinical Legal Education Association.
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Madelyn Dare Fogleman of Winston-Salem
The Outstanding Externship Student Award is given for excellence in clinical fieldwork and for exceptionally thoughtful, self-reflective participation in an accompanying externship course. Sponsored by the Clinical Legal Education Association.
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Sarah Michelle Varela of Fuquay-Varina
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.
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Carollyn Sabina Sierra of Hope Mills
The Order of Barristers
Membership in the national society recognizing outstanding performance in the art of advocacy. This year’s recipients are:
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James Paul Brocker of Raleigh
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Matthew Briant Couch of Morehead City
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Susannah Hope Horton of Mount Ulla
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Lynn Marie Johnson of Raleigh
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Sydney Elizabeth Kraft of Fayetteville
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Brandon A. Minella of Wake Forest
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Emily Rose Murphy of Delmar, New York
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William Ashley Sparks of Mount Airy
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Jay Calvin Thomas of Apex
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Jason McArthur White of Concord
Order of Old Kivett
Awarded for exemplary representation in advocacy competitions while maintaining the highest ethical standards. This year’s recipients are:
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Riya Bhatt of Cary
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Jake Harrison Blum of Asheville
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Joanna Marie Diaz of West Palm Beach, Florida
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Grace Jackson of Savannah, Georgia
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Nikkia Armani Jacques of Charlotte
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Tomas Nazer Paniagua of Concord
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Rachel Olivia Putnam of Bessemer City
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Sarah Elizabeth Summa of Charlotte
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Austin Mills Tomlin of Carrsville, Virginia
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Brian David Walsh of North Canton, Ohio
Summa Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with highest distinction. The recipients of this honor are:
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Chase H. Freeman of Pine Knoll Shores
Magna Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with great distinction. The recipients of this honor are:
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Jacob Dorsett Bunting of Belews Creek
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Marissa Amy Dunsmore of Leland
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Lukas Richard Epps-Dawson of Raleigh
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Micah Mark Mooring of Goldsboro
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Madison Elizabeth Sholar of Beulaville
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Carollyn Sabina Sierra of Hope Mills
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Sarah Elizabeth Summa of Charlotte
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Cassidy Lauren Willard of Mount Airy
Cum Laude is awarded for a degree earned with distinction. The recipients of this honor are:
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Emily Grace Askew of Zebulon
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Victoria Mabe Boyte of Carthage
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Madelyn Harriett-Iler Bruckel of Rochester, New York
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Matthew Briant Couch of Morehead City
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Seth Thomas Gulledge of Youngsville
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Anthony Dante Jennings of Colonial Heights, Virginia
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Lynn Marie Johnson of Raleigh
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Benjamin Dane Hartell of Louisville, Kentucky
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Savannah Crowell Hill of Kinston
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Carey Jenkins King of La Grange
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Sydney Elizabeth Kraft of Fayetteville
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Sean McMurray of Apex
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Andrew Scott Milton of Parkersburg, West Virginia
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Ryan C. Mitiguy of Georgia, Vermont
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Jason Blake Phillips of Warsaw
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Kathryn Rebecca Roseman of Newton
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Gladys Sanchez of Burgaw
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William Gregory Scott of Salisbury
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Olivia Danielle Suggs of Conway
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Emily Bridget Sullivan of Morehead City
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Jay Calvin Thomas of Apex
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Emma Lynn Tillotson of Greenville, South Carolina
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Heath Alexander Topel of Niceville, Florida
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Jordan Elizabeth Turner of Fort Collins, Colorado
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Jason McArthur White of Concord
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Zak Dalton Worley of Canton
Campbell Law congratulates each of you on your academic achievements!
ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW
Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law School 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 more than 4,800 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2024, Campbell Law is celebrating 46 years of graduating legal leaders and 15 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina’s Capital City.