Two University of Arizona Law Students Honored with Centennial Achievement Award
The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law is proud to announce that two third-year law students, Molly Case and Abigael McGuire, have been awarded the University of Arizona’s Centennial Achievement Award, one of the highest honors a student can achieve at the University. They are two of six students at the doctoral and master’s levels to receive this recognition from the Dean of Students Office.
The Centennial Achievement Award, established to recognize outstanding students who have made significant contributions to their academic community and beyond, is a testament to Case and McGuire's dedication and leadership throughout their time at the University of Arizona Law.
Case serves as the senior articles editor for Arizona Law Review, a senior writing fellow, a member of University of Arizona Law’s Curriculum Committee and the university's Ombuds Committee.
“It is incredibly humbling to receive this award, not least because I know it would not have been possible without the dedication, investment, and engagement of the faculty at Arizona Law,” said Case. “Over the past two years I have been lucky to learn from and work with knowledgeable, curious, and kind professors who are never too busy to help me think through a question or idea, no matter how unformed or odd.”
During her time at University of Arizona Law, Case has collaborated with various faculty scholars as a research assistant and will publish a Note with the Arizona Law Review titled, “Status-Differentiated Access to Federal Habeas Relief for U.S. Citizens and Noncitizen Nationals Detained in American Samoa.” She wrote the paper under the supervision of Arizona Law Professor Chris Griffin, who nominated both Case and McGuire for the award.
“Starting to work on my own research has been deeply fulfilling, and I've loved getting the chance to pursue my interests and curiosities using the skills I've gained in law school. It is an honor for that work to be recognized, and I hope to put what I've learned into practice in service of our community in the coming years,” said Case.
McGuire has served as president of the Law Women’s Association, as a research and teaching assistant with Innovation for Justice and as an articles editor for the Arizona Law Review. She was a member of the Domestic Violence Law Clinic and has a passion for public service, social justice and women’s issues, especially survivors of domestic and sexual violence. That passion has led to positions with the Office on Violence Against Women within the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office of the Legislative Counsel at the U.S. Senate.
“I am incredibly humbled by the Centennial Achievement Award I received. The recognition it provides is an honor I could not have anticipated in my final year at Arizona Law,” said McGuire. “But, more than shining a light on anything I might have accomplished, the award serves as a reminder of the unacceptably high rates of domestic and sexual violence and of the fact that survivors do not receive necessary support. I am wholeheartedly committed to continuing to advocate for, empower, and serve survivors after graduation and will leverage the support provided by this award to be of greatest service to survivors.”
University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins and Interim Provost Ronald W. Marx will present Case and McGuire with the Centennial Achievement Award on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023.
In the fall of 1987, the Division of Student Affairs and the Graduate College inaugurated the Centennial Achievement Graduate Student Award to recognize outstanding achievement and contributions by Graduate College students and to provide financial assistance and recognition to encourage these students to complete their Graduate studies.