<p>Standout students in leadership and academics were honored April 17 at the Annual Student Awards Ceremony, a prelude to commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 19.<br /><br />Law Dean Linda L. Ammons welcomed students and their families, donors and members of the law school community to the event in the Ruby R. Vale Moot Courtroom. <br /><br />"Each and every one of you has made your mark on this law school," Ammons said, calling the students the best society has to offer. "Remember what you have learned here and continue to strive for excellence in all that you do." <br /><br />Ammons went on to give the Dean's Award to student Darlene Ghavimi-Alagha. The honor is given annually to the graduating student who, in the dean's opinion, has demonstrated outstanding legal aptitude, exemplary service, significant leadership skills and the potential to become an outstanding member of the legal community. <br /><br />Ghavimi-Alagha graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and prior to law school, she worked as a research technician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and the A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, performing biomedical research involving HIV and AIDS, Alzheimer's, and a genetic stroke disorder. She has six scientific publications in major medical journals. She studied in Widener's evening division while working at the A.I. duPont Hospital for Children. She served as a staff member and manuscript editor of the Widener Law Review. Her note, "Cosmetic Surgery in the Doctor's Office: Is State Regulation Improving Patient Safety?" was selected for publication in the Widener Law Review and also won second place in a national writing competition, the Eighth Annual Health Law Writing Competition sponsored by Epstein, Becker &amp; Green, a Washington DC, firm. <br /><br />Ghavimi-Alagha externed with The Hon. Thomas Ambro of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and held a prestigious Wolcott Fellowship, clerking for Delaware Supreme Court Justice Jack Jacobs. She was a summer intern at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in 2005 and a 2006 summer associate with Morris, Nichols, Arsht &amp; Tunnell in Wilmington. Darlene has been on the Dean's Honors List every semester of law school, stands second in her class, and graduated magna cum laude in December. She is now a full-time associate at Morris Nichols in their Intellectual Property Litigation Department. <br /><br />Widener University President James T. Harris III also attended the event and gave the President's Award to student Janine Hochberg. The honor is given to the second-year student who has demonstrated scholastic achievement and possesses high potential for meaningful contribution to the law school, the community and the profession. <br /><br />Hochberg graduated summa cum laude from Widener University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in liberal studies. As an undergraduate, she was named student of the year by the Mid-Atlantic Region University Continuing Education Association. In law school, she has been active in a number of student organizations, including serving as the current president of the Gay/Straight Student Alliance. <br /><br />Hochberg was recently selected editor-in-chief of the Widener Law Review for 2007-2008. Her student note has been chosen for publication in the Widener Law Review. Hochberg works as a research assistant for Law Professor John G. Culhane and will be interning for Judge Peggy L. Ableman in the Delaware Superior Court this summer. <br /><br />The ceremony's awards were handed out by Susan L. Goldberg, associate dean for student affairs, Ned B. Luce and Serena M. Williams, both assistant deans for student affairs. A full list of the other honors: <br /><br /><strong>SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Howard M. Berg Scholarship - Lindsay A. Feltzin</li>
<li>E. Wallace Chadwick Memorial Scholarship - Matthew A. DeNucci, David M. Iannucci, Leigh-Ann M. Raport, Richard M. Swartz</li>
<li>Chadwick Constitutional Education Fellowship - Sonia Augusthy, Robert F. Manzi</li>
<li>Harvey Alan Chernoff Memorial Scholarship - David M. Iannucci</li>
<li>Esther F. Clark Memorial Scholarship - Thomas A. Uebler</li>
<li>The Honorable Joseph W. deFuria Scholarship - Thomas A. Uebler</li>
<li>Delaware Association of Lawyers' Spouse's Scholarship - Rachel A. Ramsay</li>
<li>The Honorable William Duffy Memorial Scholarship - Kara M. Guzzetti</li>
<li>DuPont Public Interest Fellowships - Kate M. Richey, Jennifer A. Pesavento</li>
<li>Nancy and Howard Finkelman Scholarship - Donna L. Skilton</li>
<li>Honey F. Golby Memorial Scholarship - Peter S. Murphy</li>
<li>The Honorable Ned L. Hirsh Memorial Scholarship - Uzma M. Siddiqui</li>
<li>MBNA Memorial Scholarship - Patricia A. Winston</li>
<li>Charles P. Mirarchi, Sr. Memorial Scholarship - Stacey L. Larson</li>
<li>Bruce M. and Elizabeth M. Monroe Endowed Scholarship - Brennan K. Bradley, Mark D. Wessel, Dr. Hui-Ju Wu</li>
<li>Pennsylvania Bar Foundation Scholarship in Memory of James W. Stoudt - Deanne M. Camara Ferreira</li>
<li>Pennsylvania Bar Foundation Minority Scholarship in Memory of James W. Stoudt - Gabriela Arce de Smith</li>
<li>Dean Anthony J. Santoro Scholarship - Meghan A. Adams</li>
<li>Alexander V. Sarcione, Jr. Scholarship - Pamela A. Lee</li>
<li>William I. Schaffer Memorial Scholarship - Kathryn L. Fettrow</li>
<li>The Subaru Scholarship - Lindsay A. Feltzin</li>
<li>Taishoff Family Endowed Scholarship - Shaleem S. Gill</li>
<li>Bernard S. Wildstein Scholarship - Nancy Bourke</li>
<li>Young Conaway Stargatt &amp; Taylor Public Interest Fellowship - Megan L. Kneisl</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The Honorable Helen S. Balick Award - Darcy A. White</li>
<li>Howard M. Berg Award - Meghan A. Adams</li>
<li>William J. Conner Memorial Award for Administrative Law - Brett E. Bendistis</li>
<li>Nicole Cullison Memorial Award - Santino Ceccotti</li>
<li>The Honorable Joseph W. deFuria Commencement Award - Thomas A. Uebler</li>
<li>Judge J. Cullen Ganey Criminal Procedure Award - Amy C. Huffman</li>
<li>Graham Foundation Award - John R. Lego</li>
<li>Reed Hamilton Memorial Award - Neha U. Gogate</li>
<li>Zelda K. Herrmann Memorial Cup Award - Nancy Bourke</li>
<li>Patricia N. Holsten Memorial Award for Public Interest Pro Bono Service - Jacqueline T. Cleveland</li>
<li>International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award - Tina Saghafi</li>
<li>Lindsay Law Library Award - Tina Saghafi, Santino Ceccotti</li>
<li>Thomas P. Lomax and Nicholas Theodore Memorial Award - Rachel A. Ramsay</li>
<li>Most Promising Civil Litigator Award - Julie A. Serfess</li>
<li>Lucinda Peipher Memorial Award - April L. Sherwood</li>
<li>Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association James J. Manderino Award for Trial Advocacy - John D. Cirrinicione</li>
<li>Alexander V. Sarcione, Jr. Memorial Award - Jennifer J. Krabill</li>
<li>The Jerry Shields Environmental Award - Knut R. Hill</li>
<li>Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer &amp; Brecher Award - Robin C. Pitt</li>
<li>Dean Arthur A. Weeks Outstanding Service Award - John D. Cirrinicione</li>
<li>E. John Wherry, Jr. Award - Rachel A. Ramsay</li>
<li>William J. and Ella C. Wolf Award in Real Property Law - Michael J. Mattson</li>
<li>Chuck Zency Memorial Award for Environmental Law - Ruhi F. Boga</li>
<li>Outstanding Student Service Awards - Meghan A. Adams, Shae L. Chasanov, John D. Cirrinicione, Jennifer L. Iseman, Ericka F. Johnson, Megan L. Kneisl, Tina Saghafi, Neil J. Sampat, Julie A. Serfess, Thomas A. Uebler, Michael J. Wozny, Elisabeth R. Young</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The following students are graduating with pro bono distinction for performing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services during law school:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Caroline J. Bacher</li>
<li>Gina E. Daigeaun</li>
<li>Maria Camila Bages-Mesa</li>
<li>Lauren K. Dentone</li>
<li>Brett E. Bendistis</li>
<li>Kimberly S. Dinenberg</li>
<li>Renee Bouchard-Kaiser</li>
<li>Aaron Edelman</li>
<li>Kathryn E. Brown</li>
<li>Justin K. Edelson</li>
<li>Catherine Campbell</li>
<li>Sian M. Fernas</li>
<li>Lauren C. Carella</li>
<li>Christina M. Gafford</li>
<li>Andrew Carmine</li>
<li>David L. Giampietro</li>
<li>Santino Ceccotti</li>
<li>Angel R. Giles</li>
<li>Shae L. Chasanov</li>
<li>Neha U. Gogate</li>
<li>John D. Cirrinicione</li>
<li>Mark J. Grabarits</li>
<li>Jacqueline T. Cleveland</li>
<li>Danielle A. Graham</li>
<li>Kara M. Guzzetti</li>
<li>Rebecca C. Lafferty</li>
<li>Meredith J. Hamson</li>
<li>Bonnie Lane</li>
<li>Knut R. Hill</li>
<li>Matthew A. Lopes</li>
<li>Chessa Huff</li>
<li>Eric H. Lubin</li>
<li>Kelley M. Huff</li>
<li>Angela M. Macolley</li>
<li>Amy C. Huffman</li>
<li>John M. Malec</li>
<li>Susan Huntley</li>
<li>Robert F. Manzi, Jr.</li>
<li>David M. Iannucci</li>
<li>Jeffrey L. Oster</li>
<li>Jennifer L. Iseman</li>
<li>Clinton L. Page</li>
<li>Laura E. Jennings</li>
<li>Lisa A. Peruto</li>
<li>Jean-Marie Joel</li>
<li>Christine A. Pinto</li>
<li>Nazim N. Karaca</li>
<li>Robin C. Pitt</li>
<li>Rachel A. Ramsey</li>
<li>Richard P. Toland</li>
<li>Derek Riker</li>
<li>Jacqueline A. Triebl</li>
<li>Andrew C. Rimol</li>
<li>Elizabeth Turchi</li>
<li>Kenisha L. Ringgold</li>
<li>Thomas A. Uebler</li>
<li>Marianne V. Rogers</li>
<li>Pamela J. Unruh</li>
<li>Morgan A. Sack</li>
<li>Lisa M. Vetro</li>
<li>Jessica Sanchez</li>
<li>Charles B. Vincent</li>
<li>Andrea L. Schoch</li>
<li>Kathleen A. Waldy</li>
<li>Jonathan C. Scruggs</li>
<li>Kristina L. Watkowski</li>
<li>Julie A. Serfess</li>
<li>Andrea G. Weiss</li>
<li>Nicole P. Showers</li>
<li>Scott M. Wild</li>
<li>Michael J. Skinner</li>
<li>Elisabeth R. Young</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The following students have qualified to become members of the national honor society Phi Kappa Phi:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Meghan A. Adams</li>
<li>Corinne E. Amato</li>
<li>Travis W. Bliss</li>
<li>Kristy M. Castagna</li>
<li>Michael A. DeNote</li>
<li>Justin K. Edelson</li>
<li>Darlene Ghavimi-Alagha</li>
<li>Amy C. Huffman</li>
<li>Laura E. Jennings</li>
<li>Ericka F. Johnson</li>
<li>Katherine R. Mason</li>
<li>Robert I. Masten, Jr.</li>
<li>Michael J. Mattson</li>
<li>Peter S. Murphy</li>
<li>Eifion D. Phillips</li>
<li>Toni-Ann Platia</li>
<li>Thomas A. Uebler</li>
<li>Charles B. Vincent</li>
<li>Adam D. Wolper</li>
<li>Michael J. Wozny</li>
<li>Elisabeth R. Young</li>
</ul>