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SBA Hosts First Annual Student Leadership Breakfast

San Diego (April 23, 2012) — The Student Bar Association (SBA) and the Office for JD Student Affairs at the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law hosted the first annual Student Leadership Breakfast on Saturday morning, April 21, 2012 at USD's La Gran Terraza. The breakfast was in honor of the many student leaders and student organizations that work tirelessly for their school, their community and their law student colleagues. Dean Stephen Ferruolo provided welcoming remarks to the group of over 90 students, while 2006 alumna Kristin Rizzo provided the keynote address on the value of leadership.

Assistant Director for JD Student Affairs Irene Condella presented three students with a USD Enhancement Award. This annual award is given to students who go out of their way to improve and enrich the USD law community. The recipients exemplify leadership and are innovative in their methods to involve other law students and the larger San Diego community. This year’s recipients were: Lisa Charukul, founder of the new student group Advocates for Children & Education (ACE); Phil McGill for his work in reviving the Business Law Society and Kelly Phillipson, a certified yoga instructor, who created the school’s first YogaLaw Society.

Outgoing Student Bar Association President Andrew Gil presented the new SBA Executive Board officers for 2012-13: President, Joshua Poulsen; Vice President, Sara Wisner; Vice President of Student Organizations, Shane Waller; Secretary, David Greco; Treasurer, Michelle Silva.

Incoming SBA President Joshua Poulsen presented the award for Student Organization of the Year to the Environmental Law Society, which was accepted by the organization's co-president, Tyler Blix. The other two finalists for the award were the Black Law Students Association and the Tax Law Society. 

About the SBA

The Student Bar Association (SBA) is the umbrella organization for all student clubs at the University of San Diego School of Law. The SBA also serves as the student voice before the faculty and administration.

About USD School of Law

The University of San Diego School of Law is a center of academic excellence focused on preparing its students for legal practice in the new century. One of the most selective law schools in the country, the School of Law’s nationally recognized faculty create a demanding, yet welcoming environment that emphasizes individualized education. USD law school graduates go on to practice law throughout the country and abroad, forming an influential network of alumni. The USD School of Law is one of only 81 law schools in the country to have a chapter of The Order of the Coif, the most distinguished rank of American law schools. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Founded in 1954, the law school is part of the University of San Diego, a private, nonprofit, independent, Roman Catholic university chartered in 1949.