Law school selects Dean’s Fellows to mentor incoming class


KU Law Dean's Fellows 2013-14

LAWRENCE — Eight law students at the University of Kansas have been selected as Dean’s Fellows for 2013-14.

The second- and third-year students will serve as mentors for first-year students, providing them with a peer’s insight into the first-year experience and helping ease their transition into law school. This is the seventh year for the program, which is administered by the law school’s Office of Student Affairs.

“To be selected as a Dean's Fellow, one must show leadership, compassion and a willingness to serve those following behind them,” said Kaitlin Brigman, student affairs counselor at the law school. “The Dean’s Fellows are a select group, and the ones chosen for this academic year possess an especially wonderful set of qualities that will serve as an invaluable resource to the incoming students.”

Becky Howlett, who is returning for her second year in the program and will serve as the Head Dean’s Fellow, said this year’s program would be revamped to foster more interaction between mentors and first-year students.

“As a returning Fellow, I know how easy it is for incoming students not to make use of this invaluable resource,” she said. “The goal is to create an environment where our entire team is accessible so that 1Ls feel comfortable reaching out to any of our student mentors for general advice, study strategies or the often-needed ‘It’ll be fine’ pep talk. Ultimately, the Dean’s Fellows are committed to promoting student success in the first year of law school and beyond.”

The 2013-14 Dean’s Fellows are listed below by hometown.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City, Kan. 
Becky Howlett, a third-year law student, completed a bachelor’s in English and journalism at KU. She has served on the staff of the Kansas Law Review and will be an associate editor during the 2013-14 academic year. Her student organization involvement includes Women in Law, Environmental Law Society and Native American Law Students Association. Howlett, who is returning for her second year of the program, will serve as the Head Dean’s Fellow. She graduated from Piper High School and is the daughter of Wayne and Rosemary Howlett.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Prairie Village 
Ben Ashworth, a second-year law student, earned a bachelor’s in journalism and political science at KU. He is a member of the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity and a sports columnist for the University Daily Kansan. This year, Ashworth will serve as the chief of defense for Traffic Court and as a staff editor on the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy. He will also conduct side research about international arbitration. Ashworth graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School and is the son of William and Gayle Ashworth.

LYON COUNTY
From Emporia 
Paul Mose, a second-year law student, earned a bachelor’s in communications at Emporia State University. He has participated in several intramural sports leagues and is a member of the Hispanic American Law Students Association. This year, he will serve on the staff of the Kansas Law Review and as a member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. Mose works at the law firm of Shook, Hardy & Bacon through the firm’s Diversity Writing Program. He graduated from Emporia High School and is the son of Susan Vargas.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 
Grant Brazill, a second-year law student, completed a bachelor’s in secondary education at Wichita State University. He has been involved in the Environmental Law Society and the 1L Mentor Program. This year, he will serve on the staff of the Kansas Law Review and become a member of the Hispanic American Law Students Association. Brazill graduated from Wichita Northwest High School and is the son of Rick and Marlene Brazill.

BARTON COUNTY
From Great Bend 
Paige Blevins, a second-year law student, earned a bachelor’s in English at KU. She has participated in Women in Law and the Public Interest Law Society. This year she will serve as a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy and events coordinator for the Public Interest Law Society. She graduated from Great Bend High School and is the daughter of Ralph and Laura Blevins.

FORD COUNTY
From Dodge City 
Kate Marples, a third-year law student, earned a bachelor’s in Germanic languages and literatures at KU. She has participated in Environmental Law Society, In-House Moot Court Competition, Kansas Law Review and the Project for Innocence and Post-Conviction Remedies. This year, Marples will represent KU at the Pace National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition. As the Law Review symposium editor, she is also organizing the 2013 Kansas Law Review Symposium on the topic “Waters of the United States: Adapting Law for Degradation and Drought.” Marples graduated from Dodge City High School and is the daughter of Doug and Jane Marples.

UTAH
From Orem 
Jason Harmon, a second-year law student, completed a bachelor’s in business management with a minor in Spanish and Portuguese at Utah Valley University. He has been involved in the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and this year will serve as a teaching assistant for the Lawyering Skills course and a staff editor on the Kansas Law Review. He graduated from Timpanogos High School and is the son of Phillip and Janet Harmon.

ARIZONA
From Phoenix 
Annette McDonough, a second-year law student, completed a bachelor’s in physics at the University of Wyoming. She has been involved in Traffic Court, Women in Law, Native American Law Students Association and the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. This year, McDonough will serve as the Westlaw student representative and participate in the In-House Moot Court Competition. She graduated from North High School and is the daughter of David Cox and Emily Jordan.

Mon, 08/26/2013

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Mindie Paget

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