Law Students' Society Recognizes Community Spirit and Academic Excellence

Photo Credit: Eleonore Morris

Dean Flanagan (third from right) poses with LSS award recipients (l-r): sessional instructor David Stratas, Professor Stan Corbett, sessional instructor Cynthia Tape,and students Jill Daley and Jeff Fung.

Goodwill and cheer amongst Queen's Law community members filled the Student Lounge in Macdonald Hall at the 2007 Law Students' Society (LSS) awards reception on Monday, April 2nd. At this annual end-of-term celebratory event, awards were presented to recognize students' outstanding contributions to the law school community and excellence in teaching by faculty and sessional instructors. Students expressed their appreciation for their peers and teachers by nominating them for the various awards, and selection committees composed of students had the difficult task of choosing the recipients from many deserving candidates.

The 2007 Spark Award, for the first year student who best demonstrated commitment to Queen's Law, was given to Nick Staubitz. Having served as a Law ‘09 Faculty Board representative, Nick was also active with his class' social committee, law school events and in various sports teams.

Jeff Fung received the 2007 Millennium Award as the second year student who best demonstrated a contribution to and participation in the events and activities that defined the class. Heavily involved in LSS and Faculty committees as LSS Vice-President (Academic), Jeff was also an executive member of two clubs.

While LSS awards for third year students were presented at the Grad Banquet held on March 24th at the Kingston Banquet Hall and Conference Centre, recipients were recognized again at the reception in front of the full law school community.

The 2007 Gavel Award, for the graduating student who contributed the most to student affairs during three years at law school, was given to Jill Daley. Currently the LSS President noted for unquestionable dedication, Jill has also served as LSS Vice-President of Activities and Law '07 Social Convener, and was a leader in many clubs and social activities.

Teresa Buchanan was awarded this year's Spirit Award for the graduating student who best and most contributed to the spirit of the law school. Active in student government in the LSS and Society of Graduate and Professional Students, Teresa has also volunteered with Pro Bono Students Canada, and for worthy causes within Queen's Law and the Kingston community.

Nahla Khouri and Andrew Zabrovsky received the 2007 Mary Alice Murray Awards as the female and male graduating students, respectively, who contributed the most to athletics throughout law school. A key player on touch volleyball and football teams for three years, Nahla was also a leader on the Queen's varsity women's rugby team in 2006-07. A member of curling and basketball teams, Andrew managed the Law ‘07 basketball team for three years and served as class athletic representative for two years.

The 2007 Denis Marshall Contribution Award recipients were Bruce Blain, Kimberley Broome, Claire Houston, Michelle McKelvey and Sharon Wilmot for their substantial commitment demonstrating the imprint of Law ‘07 on the life of Queen's Law. Each recipient has made well-rounded contributions throughout their three years and was well regarded as someone who could always be counted upon. Of particular note was Bruce's active involvement with the Competitive Moot Program and the International Law Students' Society, Kim's central role in the Paths Less Travelled Conference and as LSS Vice-President (Administrative), Claire's active role in organizing the Queen's Law Alumni: Leadership in Social Justice Symposium and fundraisers, Sharon's leadership with the Student Recruitment and Education Committee and Pro Bono Students Canada, and Michelle's key role in planning and organizing entertaining events as Law ‘07's Vice-President of Social Activities.

The Camaraderie Award, the first of two new team-based awards, was presented to organizing members of the Queen's Law Alumni: Leadership in Social Justice Symposium for best demonstrating initiative, contribution, participation and organization of events and activities to further the Queen's Law community spirit. For this Queen's Law at 50 initiative, the group's hard work produced a successful conference of diverse and engaging speakers and panelists.

The second group award introduced this year, the Professional Excellence Award, was given to the Society of Asians in Law (SAIL) for best demonstrating initiative, contribution, participation and involvement in activities and events that promote educational and professional excellence. Among its activities, SAIL held a fundraiser for and volunteered with Kingston and District Immigrant Services, hosted an event to promote cultural and educational awareness, and organized a speakers' panel on diversity in the legal profession which attracted an audience of law students from many cultures and prospective students as well.

Professor Sharryn Aiken won the LSS Award for Teaching Excellence for the 2006 winter term. Students in Professor Aiken's Administrative Law class enjoyed her engaging teaching style, passion for the subject, and positive attitude towards them. "She...uses examples that we can relate with to encourage participation and interest," wrote her nominators. "She has an open door policy and it is evident that she really wants us to understand (and use) the material...Further, she cares about us as professionals."

Professor Stan Corbett garnered his second LSS Award for Teaching Excellence, this time for the 2006 fall term. Professor Corbett's Public Law students attributed his entertaining, informative and effectively delivered lectures to his tremendous enthusiasm, approachability and depth of knowledge. "Having been somewhat over-extended last fall it's particularly gratifying to win a teaching award," said Professor Corbett. "It was the enthusiasm of the students that kept me going. No matter how much time one has spent in the classroom every year is a fresh start. I am deeply grateful for the award."

David Stratas, Law ‘84 and partner at Heenan Blaikie LLP, received the 2006 winter term LSS Special Lecturer (Sessional) Teaching Award, the fifth time he has won this award. Advanced Constitutional Law students praised Mr. Stratas for his unique approach to stimulate critical and creative thinking and being available outside the classroom well beyond the call of duty. "The students deserve all the credit," said Mr. Stratas. "A teacher is inspired by students that are great; better than great were my students! At Queen's law school, [sessional instructors] are welcomed, cherished, and always made to feel part of the law school community. Hats off to the full-time faculty - they make it so easy for us to teach and they inspire us to strive to be the best we can be!"

In her first year of teaching, Dr. Cynthia Tape, Law ‘94 of Ogilvy Renault LLP, won the LSS Special Lecturer (Sessional) Teaching Award for the 2006 fall term. Finding it apparent that she enjoyed her work, Dr. Tape's Patent Law students were impressed with her ability to explain complicated subject material clearly and her commitment to them. "She actually comes [from Toronto] a few hours early so that she is available for questions outside class...[and] is still always full of energy and enthusiasm," wrote her student nominators. "She makes even the dry material interesting."

Rounding out the festivities were two other special presentations. Erin Dann and Jonathan Shanks, current Law ‘07 co-editors of Queen's Law Journal recognized Professor Emeritus Bernie Adell, faculty advisor, for fostering student leadership in the scholarly publication through his guidance, mentorship and commitment to excellence in legal scholarship. Also, current Pro Bono Students Canada co-coordinators Ian Mathany and Danielle Malone of Law ‘08 announced their 2007-08 successors, Erin Collins and Melissa Reiter of Law ‘09.

As another academic year draws to a close, the LSS Awards reception instills in Queen's Law community members a sense of pride in their outstanding accomplishments from the past academic year, and inspiration to continue contributing to the sense of community and academic excellence that characterizes the Faculty. "There is something very special and exciting about the law school right now," said Mr. Stratas, "And I am so grateful to be just a small part of it."

For pictures of the student LSS award recipients, see http://law.queensu.ca/students/llbProgram/awards/lssAwards200607.html.

For pictures of the faculty and sessional instructor recipients, see

http://law.queensu.ca/facultyAndStaff/facultyAchievements/lssTeachingAwards2006.html.