May 24, 2002

Contact: Georgann H. Eglinski, law school, (785) 864-9205.

KU law school honors 7 graduates

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas School of Law recently honored seven graduating students at the school's hooding ceremony.

Lawrence Jenab, Lawrence, received the Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement, which honors the graduate who has made the most significant contribution toward legal scholarship. Jenab was editor-in-chief of the Kansas Law Review, the author of a note and co-author of an article published in the Review, and first in his law school class.

Jay Heidrick, Beloit, received the Walter Hiersteiner Outstanding Service Award, which honors the graduate whose service to fellow students demonstrates greatest promise for contribution to the legal profession and society. Heidrick was an officer of the Student Bar Association, served on the school's student recruitment committee and was instrumental in initiating two traditions -- the 5K Race Ispa in the fall and the all-school barbecue on the last day of final exams in the spring.

Kristen Merchant, Overland Park, received the Lloyd Kagey Outstanding Leadership Award, which honors the graduate who has most distinguished himself or herself through leadership within the law school. Merchant was president of the third-year class, chaired the student honor code committee and served on the dean's ad hoc committee to study the school's program of legal education.

Mikas Kalinauskas, Vilnius, Lithuania, received the Samuel Mellinger Scholarship, Leadership and Service Award, which honors the graduate who has most distinguished himself or herself in the combined areas of scholarship, leadership and service. Kalinauskas was symposium editor of the Kansas Law Review, the author of a comment published in the Review, a participant in three highly successful moot court teams and organizer of a regional competition for the international moot court competition.

Molly Westering, Grand Island, Neb., received the Janean Meigs Memorial Award, which honors a student who has demonstrated a caring sprit in service to the students of the law school or the community at large. Westering was managing editor of the Kansas Law Review and principal organizer of the banquet celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Review, served as an SBA officer and volunteered in the voluntary income tax assistance program and other school service projects.

Kevin Yoder, Hutchinson, received the Class of 1949 Leadership Award, which honors the student who has contributed most significantly to bring positive attention to, create positive change in or generally add to the overall legal experience of law students. Yoder twice was president of the Student Bar Association, spearheaded the revision of the student honor code and served on several honor code committees.