Penn State Law celebrates 2023 Woolsack Society inductees

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – On Friday, April 21, 2023, Penn State Law in University Park held its annual Woolsack Honor Society induction ceremony at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. The honor society recognizes students who place in the top 15 percent of their class following the fifth or sixth semester of study.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our 2023 Woolsack Society inductees,” said Victor Romero, interim dean of Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs, Maureen B. Cavanaugh Distinguished Faculty Scholar, and professor of law. “These students have faced considerable adversity during their three years of law school and have persevered to achieve this incredible milestone. We look forward to seeing where they go next.”

The 17 newly inducted members of the class of 2023 are Auberon Bartley, Matias Bowman, Victoria Crynes, Mary Davis, Yu Ding, Kendall Dunne, Carey Renee Field, Max Giuliano, Shaun Hay, Albert Jones IV, Adam Kleiber, Megan Minnich, Christian Myers, Luke Nelson, Megan Thomas, Samantha Walter, and Tanner Yawitz.

“It’s an honor for me to be selected into the Woolsack Society of Penn State Law,” said Ding. “As an international student, I am proud of myself to obtain such achievement and really grateful to Penn State Law for giving me this opportunity. It is not only a recognition of my effort in the past three years, but also an inspiration for me to continue making progress in the future.”

Each student receives a notation on their transcript and will be listed in the 2023 Penn State Law commencement program. Society membership is lifelong.

“The Woolsack Induction Ceremony is one of my favorite events all year,” said Jud Mathews, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law. “These students have all worked extremely hard to accomplish what they have in law school, and the time spent honoring their achievement is time well spent. I look forward to seeing what they do with their legal training in the years to come.”

The 2023 inductees join a long list of Penn State Law alumni to be a part of this esteemed group. These alums have gone on to achieve great things in the field of law.

“Being inducted into the Woolsack Honor Society is a great honor, and I am particularly excited to see what this group of colleagues and friends being inducted alongside me will accomplish as we all embark on our respective careers,” said Giuliano.

The celebration ceremony included a luncheon and award presentation, with each inductee paying homage to those who helped them to reach this milestone achievement, including family and friends, as well as Penn State Law faculty and staff.

"This achievement is a testament to the dedication of Penn State Law faculty and alumni,” said Crynes. “Before stepping foot on campus, I was given six mentors directly aligned with my legal interests. I was granted countless opportunities to succeed and thrive, from 1L mock trial with Professor Wiseman as our star witness to the rigors of the Journal of Law & International Affairs, and global professors, such as Ylli Dautaj and Takis Tridimas. True to Penn State form, when we work together, ‘WE ARE’ all able to achieve our aspirations."

The Penn State Law Woolsack Honor Society was founded in 1920 to recognize students who have distinguished themselves academically. The Woolsack is a symbol of excellence borrowed from the British legal tradition; the name is derived from the large, wool-stuffed red cushion that has served as a seat for high-ranking British Parliament officers since the fourteenth century.

“From competing alongside an international team of law students in moot court to mentorship from our world-class Penn State Law alumni and faculty, every piece of the outstanding, holistic education I received here prepared me for the future,” said Davis. “Receiving an honor such as this is just a result of the incredible education available at Penn State Law in University Park. There is nowhere else like it.”