SBA wins University of Louisville's Spirit of Service Award

Joey Wilkerson, SBA's public service chair, with the group's 2018 Spirit of Service Award
Joey Wilkerson, SBA's public service chair, with the group's 2018 Spirit of Service Award

The Student Bar Association at the Brandeis School of Law was honored for its "commitment and service to the community" at the 19th Annual Student Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Dean of Students Office April 19, 2018.

Joey Wilkerson, SBA's public service chair, credits the honor to SBA's many avenues of public service:

  • The 1L service day held before each new academic year, where incoming law students spend a day volunteering at one of several partner community organizations; 
  • Saturdays of Service, monthly meal service at The Lord's Kitchen, a local food kitchen;
  • Pop-up service projects benefitting groups such as the Kentucky Humane Society, Ronald McDonald House and the Kentucky Legal Food Frenzy;
  • Holiday card project for the Home of the Innocents

"It's a privilege to go to law school," Wilkerson says. "I think we can use our privilege as a platform to make Louisville a better place."

Wilkerson, who will graduate in December 2018, is finishing up his second term as SBA's public service chair. He says that his drive for public service has been nurtured by Brandeis Law's commitment to community engagement. 

"It's absolutely been encouraged by being here. That's not something I thought of at all when I came in," he says. In 2017, Wilkerson was awarded the individual Spirit of Service Award.

In a letter recommending SBA for the group Spirit of Service Award, Laura Ruble, volunteer coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana, calls the SBA "prompt, professional, and fun - always seeking new ways to help serve our families!"

"When I think about the spirit of service, this group definitely comes to mind! The SBA has volunteered at our House on numerous occasions. Most recently, they collected bourbon and wine for our upcoming Red Tie Gala (our biggest fundraising event of the year). We were coming up very short on donations this year, and the SBA stepped up by collecting 24 bottles for our event! We could not have done it without their help!" writes Ruble. 

See a video about the 2016 1L Day of Service: