Three Students Selected for 2024 Jeff Jones “Nicely Done” Award
The Jeff Jones “Nicely Done” Award, honoring the late Professor Jeffrey D. Jones, is given annually by the Student Bar Association (SBA) to students who embody accountability, empathy, and community. This year, the SBA has selected Rianka Macwan ’24, Sun Kim ’24, and Paige Punzalan ’25 as the 2024 recipients.
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Rianka Macwan ’24, Sun Kim ’24, and Paige Punzalan ’25 have been selected by the Student Bar Association (SBA) as the 2024 recipients of the Jeff Jones “Nicely Done” Award. The student-nominated award honors the legacy of the late Professor Jeffery D. Jones, who embodied compassion and leadership in his life and career.
Students honored with the Jeff Jones Award are recognized for their dedication to the community and for their personification of empathy, accountability, inclusivity, and positivity. In recognition of their contributions to the community, students are also awarded a $500 scholarship.
Rianka Macwan is a graduating 3L from Naperville, Illinois. She has embodied true community spirit during her time at Lewis & Clark, participating in a wide swath of activities including the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), Students for International Environmental Law (SIEL), South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA), Student Bar Association (SBA), and Global Law Alliance (GLA). Her peers nominated her for her supportive mentorship, dependability, and kindness to others. “Rianka is the life of the party wherever she goes. [She] is a testament that a successful legal career does not mean fitting the archetypal ‘lawyer’ mold, and that people brave enough to be their authentic selves really is what the profession needs,” a student wrote of Rianka in their nomination.
Sun Kim is a graduating third-year student with a philanthropic spirit and a passion for helping others. During her time at Lewis & Clark, Sun served as the Editor-in-Chief of Lewis & Clark Law Review and the Vice President of External Affairs for the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA). She is described by others as a ray of sunshine who cares deeply for her peers’ wellbeing. “Sun embodies everything this award stands for,” a student wrote in their nomination. “She is friendly and empathetic to everyone on campus.”
Paige Punzalan is a second-year in the Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Law program. While in law school, Paige has been involved in APALSA, SBA, Green Energy Institute (GEI), and Environmental Law Review (ELR). Her peers nominated her for her authentic and supportive mentorship, her spirit of inclusivity, and her genuine character. A fellow student wrote in their nomination of Paige, “[Paige] is one of the most dependable people I know. I wish I had the grace and humor that she does. She is so deserving of this scholarship.”
