KU News Release

KU law school selects Dean’s Fellows to mentor incoming class

LAWRENCE — Ten University of Kansas law students have been selected as Dean’s Fellows for 2008-09.

The second- and third-year students will serve as mentors for first-year students, providing them with a peer’s insight into the first-year experience and helping ease their transitions into law school. This is the second year for the program, which is administered by the law school’s Office of Student Affairs.

“The purpose of the program is to provide a peer connection for new students and build more connections among the classes,” said Wendy Rohleder-Sook, associate dean for student affairs.

The 2008-09 Dean’s Fellows are:

FRANKLIN COUNTY
From Wellsville 66092
A first-year law student, Mark Allen Samsel earned a bachelor’s in political science, business management and business finance at Missouri Valley College. He is a member of the Public Interest Law Society and Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. He plans to pursue the Media, Law and Policy Certificate. Samsel graduated from Wellsville High School and is the son of Robert and LeeAnn Samsel.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66221
A first-year law student, Kevin L. Chaffee completed a bachelor’s in business marketing at KU. He is a member of the Federalist Society and the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Chaffee graduated from Blue Valley Northwest High School and is the son of Jay and Julie Chaffee.

A second-year law student, Alicia Marie Kirkpatrick earned a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management at Texas Christian University. She is a transfer student from the University of Tennessee Law School, where she was a member of Law Women and the Student Bar Association. Kirkpatrick, who is pursuing a Tax Law Certificate, graduated from Blue Valley High School and is the daughter of Jim and Laura Kirkpatrick.

From Overland Park 66223
A first-year law student, Timothy J. Davis earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science at KU. He is a member of Traffic Court. Davis graduated from Blue Valley Northwest High School and is the son of Murray and Suzanne Davis.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67213
A second-year law student, Danny Morris completed a bachelor’s in language and literature at Sterling College. He is a member of the Kansas Law Review and OUTLaws. As a first-year law student, he was a member of the Jessup International Law Moot Court team. Next year he will be a member of the Moot Court Council. Morris graduated from Wichita High School West and is the son of Michael and Donna Morris.

COLORADO
From Aurora 80016
A first-year law student, Christopher J. Kaufman completed a bachelor’s degree in journalism at KU. He is a Student Ambassador, Traffic Court Advocate and member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Kaufman graduated from Eaglecrest High School in Centennial, Colo., and is the son of John and Nancy Kaufman.

IOWA
From Waterloo 50701
A first-year law student, Erin Kathleen DeKoster completed a bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication at Iowa State University. She is a member of Women in Law and is pursuing a law degree and a master’s degree in journalism through the school’s joint degree program. DeKoster graduated from West High School in Waterloo and is the daughter of Jim and Marilyn DeKoster.

MISSOURI
From Independence 64055
A first-year law student, Tyler Page earned a bachelor’s in political science and justice systems at Truman State University. She is a member of Women in Law and the Public Interest Law Society. Page graduated from Truman High School in Independence and is the daughter of Bob and Debbie Page.

TEXAS
From McKinney
First-year law student Blake Thomas Hardwick earned a bachelor’s in business administration at MidAmerica Nazarene University. He is the 1L Senior Vice President for the Federalist Society. He is pursuing a joint degree in law and business. Hardwick graduated from Mill Valley High School in Shawnee and is the son of Thomas and Robin Hardwick.

ECUADOR
From Guayaquil
A second-year law student, Maria Salcedo completed a bachelor’s in journalism and international studies at KU. She is a Student Ambassador and the public relations officer for the International Law Society. Salcedo is also a member of the Public Interest Law Society and the Christian Legal Society. She is a member of the Jessup International Law Moot Court team and plans to pursue a career in litigation. Salcedo graduated from Lawrence High School and is the daughter of Galo and Maria Salcedo.

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