Justin Miller Awards
"Altruism combined with realism; knowledge of fundamental principles and capacity to apply them; courage to insist on the right and patience to achieve it; understanding of the timidity of the weak; fearlessness of the domination of the powerful; sympathy for the mistakes of the indiscreet; caution of the craftiness of the unprincipled; enthusiasm for that which is fine and inspiring; reverence for that which is sacred; these are some of the attributes of great lawyers."
Justin Miller
Dean, 1930-34
The Office of Student Affairs is pleased to announce the Justin Miller Awards for graduating Duke Law students. Justin Miller served as Law School Dean from 1930-34. Among other accomplishments, he is credited with bringing national attention to the Law School and instilling the qualities that continue to make Duke Law an exceptional place to study. As today's Duke Law Blueprint attests, the principles Dean Miller espoused some 70 years ago remain a part of the foundation of this Law School. In honor of Dean Miller and in the spirit of his words, we present the following awards:
- Award for Leadership - The recipient is someone who has been especially active in the Law School and/or the greater Durham community, who demonstrates initiative and leads by example. He or she takes responsibility for his or her actions and encourages others to do the same.
- Award for Integrity - The recipient is a courageous person with strong principles, a solid character, and a true sense of altruism. Demonstrating an appreciation for honesty and justice, he or she instills these same qualities in others.
- Award for Citizenship - A genuine enthusiasm for the Duke Law School community distinguishes this recipient as someone who brings people together in constructive ways. With a spirit of optimism, he or she looks beyond individual differences to find common ground in mentoring relationships with others.
- Award for Intellectual Curiosity - Not necessarily the student with the highest grades or the most academic honors, the recipient is a person who truly enjoys learning. He or she has an intellectual hunger and passion for the law and consistently shares this with and encourages it in others.
Eligibility and Selection Process
Nominees must be 3L students. Nominations will be accepted from students only, and students from any class may offer nomination(s). Nominations will be reviewed by a committee of students, faculty, and administrators, and the recipients will be announced at the Graduation Gala. Nominations are due on Friday, March 27 by 5 pm.
Awards
Each recipient will receive a gift, and a book in the Law Library will be dedicated on his or her behalf. Plaques with the names of the winners will be displayed next to the portrait of Dean Justin Miller.
Past Recipients
2009
Award for Leadership: Sonja Marie Ralston Elder
Award for Integrity: Jeffrey Dale Ward
Award for Citizenship: Matthew Louis Lipsky
Award for Intellectual Curiosity: Eric Wantuck Eisenberg
2008
Award for Leadership: Kristina Aija Johnson
Award for Integrity: Jennifer Marie Avery
Award for Citizenship: Matthew William Wolfe
Award for Intellectual Curiosity: Jennifer Nicole Wimsatt
2007
Award for Leadership: Brettny E. Hardy
Award for Integrity: Linton Mann III
Award for Citizenship: Leah M. Nicholls
Award for Intellectual Curiosity: Nathan S. Chapman
2006
Award for Leadership: Teresa A. Sakash
Award for Integrity: Benjamin A. Stark
Award for Citizenship: Christopher J. Kocher
Award for Intellectual Curiosity: Garrett A. Levin
2005
Award for Leadership: Vikram B. Patel
Award for Integrity: N. David Prestwood
Award for Citizenship: Leslie K. Cooley
Award for Intellectual Curiosity: Scott M. Edson
2004
Award for Leadership: Michael L. Greenwald
Award for Integrity: Andrew T. Tripp
Award for Citizenship: Robert J. Gallagher & Merrill F. Hoopengardner
Award for Intellectual Curiosity: A. Xavier Baker
2003
Award for Leadership: Christine E. Soares
Award for Integrity: Matthew J. Bonness
Award for Citizenship: John W. Bolin, III
Award for Intellectual Curiosity: Stephen T. Smith
2002
Award for Leadership: Marcella A. Harshbarger
Award for Integrity: Carl C. Carl
Award for Citizenship: Corey A. Ciocchetti
Award for Intellectual Curiosity: Daniel J. Foster