The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association’s 36th Annual Awards & Scholarship Dinner held on Saturday, November 3 at The Westin Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego was a shining night for Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
According to the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association’s website “the Annual Awards & Scholarship Dinner serves as an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the exceptional achievements of attorneys, judges, community leaders, businesses and organizations that have enhanced the quality of life in the Greater San Diego community. Financial scholarships are awarded to law students who have attained academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to community and public service.”
TJSL’s two scholarship recipients are Lance Henry 2L and Ryan Davis 2L, both of whom are not only excellent students, but very active in campus organizations.
“To receive an honor like this is very humbling and inspiring,” said Davis. “It was an honor to be recognized at a dinner with so many established and successful attorneys. A quote I like to live by is preparation + opportunity = success.”
“It means a lot to gain recognition from such a reputable organization of black attorneys,” said Henry. “The scholarship required the candidates to display academic excellence and to describe their goals and involvement in minority communities. I think the association was really impressed with my community efforts in the past such as the “Stand Your Ground Panel” event I held at TJSL for the Trayvon Martin case, and the tsunami relief efforts from Project Japan. Personally, it meant a lot to me to be recognized by people I look up to. Many of these people are very successful judges and attorneys. The whole event was a serious honor.”
“With two faculty members, two senior staff, 12 students and 2 scholarship award winners, and a service award winner and several alumni in attendance, it was an extraordinarily successful event for the law school,” said Associate Dean for Student Affairs Beth Kransberger.
Randy Reliford, Associate Director of Career Services, was awarded the 2012 Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association – Frederick Douglass Community Service Award for his involvement in the organization and volunteer efforts in San Diego. Randy is committed to community service and assisting law students and attorneys with developing their legal careers. About the award, he stated, “given the fact that my parents were adamant about my faith and service to the community, it was an honor to be recognized for serving my new community. Getting involved has enabled me to meet a lot of people in San Diego and it feels good to be an active member of our society. I enjoy being involved in my community and helping our students.”
“It was a delight to see Mr. Reliford honored for his service to the organization – his dedication to the TJSL students and greater EBGB community has been most impressive!,” said Dean Kransberger.
Former KFMB Anchor and current Thomas Jefferson School of Law Admissions Coordinator Pamela Kay-Davis was the evenings emcee.
