Law school names new class of Dean’s Fellows to mentor incoming law students

LAWRENCE — Ten students at the University of Kansas School of Law have been chosen as Dean’s Fellows for the 2018-19 academic year. 

The Dean’s Fellows are a group of second- and third-year law students selected to mentor first-year peers. Fellows offer academic support and guidance, serving as resources for students navigating the transition to law school. Fellows are selected through an application and interview process that considers their academic performance, campus and community involvement, and rapport with classmates.

“Our goal is to help 1Ls feel welcomed and supported by promoting an inclusive culture of openness and community and providing academic, social and mental wellness resources,” said Dan Kopp, head Dean’s Fellow. “We have a diverse group that is excited to help 1Ls through the excitement and challenges of their first year."

The program is administered by the KU Law Office of Admissions. The 2018-19 Dean’s Fellows are listed below.

Quentin Aker is a second-year law student from Wichita. Aker earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from KU. He is president of the KU student chapter of the Federal Bar Association and a Kansas Law Review staff member. He graduated from Northeast Magnet High School and is the son of Suzan and Steven Aker. 

Paige Bangerter is a second-year law student from Dodge City. Bangerter earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. She is president of Women in Law, a member of Christian Legal Society and an intern for the School of Law’s Project for Innocence. She graduated from Dodge City High School and is the daughter of Kirstin and Shane Bangerter.

Evan Drees is a third-year law student from Prairie Village. Drees earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance from KU. He is a member of the Business and Tax Law Society and the KU student chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Drees graduated from Rockhurst High School and is the son of Lorri and Greg Drees.

Soohun Jang is a second-year law student from Seoul, South Korea. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Seoul National University and a master’s degree in American law from Hallym University of Graduate Studies. Jang is a member of the Christian Legal Society. He graduated from DongHae Kwanghee High School and is the son of Hyun Jae Lim. 

Kyle Klucas is a third-year law student from Silver Lake. Klucas earned bachelor’s degrees in political science, pre-law and history from Kansas State University. He is the managing editor of the Kansas Law Review, a member of Moot Court Council and was the top oralist at the annual International Law Society Oxford Debates in 2016. He graduated from Silver Lake High School and is the son of Sandee and Dan Klucas. 

Dan Kopp, a third-year law student from Rockford, Illinois, is this year’s head Dean’s Fellow. Kopp graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was captain of the 2015 football team and majored in economics, political science and business administration. He is the business manager of the Kansas Law Review, a member of the Moot Court Council and a member of the National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court team. Kopp and his partner won best brief in last year’s In-House Moot Court Competition. He is also involved in Christian Legal Society and is a teaching assistant for Professor Amii Castle. He graduated from Belvidere High School and is the son of Leslie and Robert Kopp.

Miranda Luster is a third-year law student from Stillwater, Oklahoma. She earned undergraduate degrees in political science and French from Oklahoma State University. She is a staff articles editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy. Luster is also a student member of the law school’s Academic Affairs Committee, serves as chief justice of the Student Senate Court of Appeals and is a member of both the Student Conduct and the Sexual Harassment hearing panels run through KU’s Student Affairs. She graduated from Stillwater High School and is the daughter of Desirea Ingram and Steve Luster.

Adam Merello is a third-year law student from Kansas City, Missouri. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After college, he spent 10 years as an Air Force officer. Merello is president of the KU Military Law Society. He graduated from Grandview High School and is the son of Devri and David Merello.

Sammy Patterson is a second-year law student from Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Patterson is a Kansas Law Review staff member and serves on committees for KU’s student chapter of the Federal Bar Association and Women in Law. She has participated in the Shook, Hardy & Bacon Advocates Program and Moot Court. She graduated from St. Teresa’s Academy and is the daughter of Kelley and Mike Patterson.

Sasha Raab is a second-year law student from Stilwell. She attended Johnson County Community College, then finished her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, where she graduated summa cum laude. She is president of the Jewish Legal Society and a Kansas Law Review staff member. She graduated from Blue Valley West High School and is the daughter of Diana and William Hurst.