Spirit of WVU Law — Carrie Miller '23
According to her multiple nominations, Carrie Miller has gone above and beyond for her 1L classmates. She reaches out to students who experience loss and struggle. She organizes care packages and note-taking.
One nomination writes, “Carrie is just such a strong, admirable person both inside and outside of school…I feel very fortunate to call her my friend.” Another nomination mentions, “She is always prepared for class and polite in dealings with professors as well as students. She is always encouraging…Her ability to juggle schoolwork, extracurriculars, and caring for others is a model to be emulated.”
Random Acts of Kindness — Casey Putney '22
In the fall, 2L Casey Putney could usually be found in the lobby or on the terrace. He is known for always having a smile on his face. His nomination talks about how he “frequently passed out candy…and cracked jokes to lift people’s spirits.”
He is consistently checking in with people and always trying to make their day better. A more specific random act of kindness was when he replaced a sentimental charm for a classmate who had lost it in a parking lot. According to his nomination, “he is very thoughtful and does what he can to cheer people up during these crazy times!”
Student Organization of the Semester — OUTLaw
At a time when it may be very difficult for a student organization to survive, OUTLaw led by Tim Moore has found a way to thrive. Receiving multiple nominations, OUTLaw was praised for their consistent programming and activism in the Fall.
They hosted many speakers including Alex Aide of the Born This Way Foundation and put together a panel on transgender rights, “TransForming Appalachia.” Tim worked closely with law school personnel to ensure that a large Pride Flag would hang from the College of Law columns in support of Spirit Week. They tabled in the lobby and have had an active presence on social media. They’ve also created connections between the law school and organizations including Fairness WV, the WVU LGBTQ Center, SHAPE, and Morgantown Pride. This is just a sampling of the successes that OUTLaw has had this year. The leadership team consisting of Tim, Christine Jacobs, and Ashley Stephens have proven that while obstacles from a national pandemic can be a challenge, they can also just be opportunities to think outside of the box.
Culture of Excellence Award — Jordan McMinn '21
When looking at the nominations for the overall Fall 2020 Culture of Excellence award winner, the committee took many things into consideration. We were looking for a person or group of people who demonstrated the high academics and moral integrity that we wish to encourage in our student body. When we saw the nomination for Jordan McMinn, we knew we had found our recipient.
Jordan serves as Senior Managing Editor for Volume 123 of the West Virginia Law Review as well as a member of the National Moot Court Team. She is known for her academic excellence and leadership. Her nominator writes about her leadership on the WVLR, “she is always available to answer questions and never gets frustrated or annoyed. She makes those around her feel comfortable while also letting them know that she expects them to try their best…Jordan is truly an excellent person and upholds WVU's culture of excellence every day!”
