KU News Release

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

Back row, from left: Mark Samsel, Chris Kaufman, Jacob Gontesky and T.J. Trum. Front row, from left: Kristen Koenen, Megan McGinnis, Tyler Page, Dana Watts and Danielle LaFever.

LAWRENCE — Nine University of Kansas law students have been selected as Dean’s Fellows for 2009-10.

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 third year for the program, which is administered by the School of Law’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 in the law school.

Second-year law student T.J. Trum’s positive experience with his Dean’s Fellow during his first year of law school inspired him to apply for the program.

“I vividly remember the lunch meeting I had with my Dean’s Fellow,” he said. “To me, he represented someone approachable in a new, confusing environment. His assurances and guidance were not only helpful but comforting.

“Furthermore, he did not fade aimlessly away from my first-year experience. I would see him around the law school, and he would recognize me as one of ‘his’ students, taking time to ask about my coursework and personal endeavors.”

The 2009-10 Dean’s Fellows are:

FRANKLIN COUNTY
From Wellsville 66092
Mark Samsel, a second-year law student, completed bachelor’s degree in political science and business administration, with concentrations in business management and business finance at Missouri Valley College. Next year, he will serve as a board member of the Kansas Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Council. Samsel has participated in the Legislative and Public Policy clinics in pursuit of the Media Law and Policy Certificate. He graduated from Wellsville High School and is the son of Robert and LeeAnn Samsel.

HAMILTON COUNTY
From Syracuse 67878
A second-year law student, Dana Watts completed bachelor’s degrees in marketing and Spanish at Pittsburg State University. She was president of the International Law Society and will be the associate editor of the Kansas Law Review next year. Watts is pursuing a certificate in International Trade and Finance. She graduated from Syracuse High School and is the daughter of Doug and Becky Wallace.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa 66219
Kristen Koenen, a first-year law student, completed bachelor’s degrees in business administration, finance and economics at Benedictine College. She is a Rice Scholar and a Student Ambassador. Koenen is also a member of Women in Law and the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. She graduated from Notre Dame de Sion High School and is the daughter of Alex and Mary Kay Koenen.

From Stilwell 66085
A first-year law student, T.J. Trum completed a bachelor’s degree in political science at KU. He is a Student Ambassador, a board member of the Federalist Society and a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Trum graduated from Blue Valley High School and is the son of Greg and Barb Trum.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City 66104
Megan McGinnis, a second-year law student, completed a bachelor’s degree in political science at KU. She is the president of the Black Law Students Association, a Student Ambassador and a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. McGinnis has participated in the Paul E. Wilson Defender Project and the Istanbul Summer Study Abroad Program. She graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Science and is the daughter of Joni McGinnis.

COLORADO
From Centennial 80016
A second-year law student, Chris Kaufman completed a bachelor’s degree in journalism at KU. He is a returning Dean’s Fellow who also is a Student Ambassador and Traffic Court Justice. Kaufman will be the executive note and comment editor for the Kansas Law Review next year. This year, he interned for Judge Carlos Murguia of the U.S. District Court of Kansas as part of the law school’s Judicial Clerkship Clinic. Kaufman graduated from Eaglecrest High School in Centennial, Colo., and is the son of John and Nancy Kaufman.

MISSOURI
From Independence 64055
Tyler Page, a second-year law student, completed a bachelor’s degree in political science and justice systems at Truman State University. She is the vice president of Women in Law. Next, year, she will serve as a senior publications editor of the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy. Page graduated from Truman High School and is the daughter of Bob and Debbie Page.

NEW YORK
From Endwell 13760
Danielle LeFever, a second-year law student, completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at the University of Central Missouri. She is a transfer student from the Syracuse University College of Law and a member of Women in Law. LeFever is pursuing a certificate in Elder Law and will be participating in the Elder Law Clinic next year. She graduated from Maine Endwell Senior High and is the daughter of David and Diane LeFever.

SOUTH DAKOTA
From Yankton 57078
Jacob Gontesky, a first-year law student, completed a bachelor’s degree in meteorology and a master’s in science education at Saint Cloud State University. He is a member of the Traffic Court. Gontesky graduated from Yankton High School and is the son of Deborah Kuder and Michael Gontesky.

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