Five Students Recognized with Awards at Commencement Ceremony

At the May 12 commencement ceremony, five students were honored for distinguished academic, service, and leadership achievements at the Law School.

Alexis Dutt ’18 presented the two outstanding student awards selected by members of the Class of 2018—the Excellence in Public Service Award and the Most Outstanding Contribution Award.

The Excellence in Public Service Award went to Mary Georgevich ’18, whose work included helping asylum seekers, assisting immigrant workers seeking benefits, representing immigrants as a student attorney, and advocating for human rights and gender equality.

The Most Outstanding Contribution Award went to Vanessa Colletti ’18, who served as a structured study group instructor, worked as a student attorney in the Criminal Justice and Environment & Energy Law Clinics, and also served on the executive boards of several societies and organizations. “On top of these achievements, Vanessa is also one of the warmest and most welcoming members of the class of 2018,” Dutt said.

Dean Gary W. Jenkins presented the William B. Lockhart Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Leadership, and Service to Rachel Leitschuck ’18. Reciting a long list of achievements and service to the Law School, Jenkins noted, “Rachel embodies two qualities that are essential to the Law School and to the law itself, leadership and engagement.”

Jenkins next presented the Minnesota Law Equity and Diversity Awards to Amy Hang ’18 and Gabrielle Olivieri Sliwka ’18, who have both amassed impressive records of accomplishment and leadership, as well as for advocating for diversity and inclusion at the Law School and in the community.