Two ASL Students Chosen for EMLF Scholarships
GRUNDY, VA (June 25, 2019) – Two Appalachian School of Law rising third year students have been chosen as recipients of 2019 Energy and Mineral Law Foundation scholarships.
Caitlin Young and Bailey Latham Gifford each have received an EMLF scholarship. Young also received the James H. Davis Memorial Scholarship which is awarded to an Appalachian region student studying the law.
EMLF was established to foster the study of energy, mineral and natural resources law through Continuing Legal Education and support of its member law schools and law students. A total of 11 scholarships were awarded this year to law students from eight schools in six states.
Young and Gifford were selected for the scholarships based on EMLF guidelines which examined their potential to make a significant contribution in the field of energy, mineral and natural resources law; academic ability; and leadership ability.
“These are very competitive scholarships and the fact that we have two ASL students receiving them speaks well of their commitment to the study of natural resources law and to our program here,” said Professor Mark Belleville, who is also the director of ASL’s Natural Resources Law program. “I congratulate Cait and Bailey for their hard work and their selection as recipients of this year’s Energy and Mineral Law Foundation scholarships.”
Young, who hails from Trinidad, Colo, is the daughter of Kathy Wischmeier and Mark Young. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree aviation and aerospace operations from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
“Growing up, I was always at my dad’s law office and tagging along on trips to the courthouse,” Young said looking back on why she chose to go to law school. “I’m sure that had an impact on my decision to attend law school.”
Her decision to come to ASL to pursue her law degree, she said was based primarily on two considerations.
“I chose ASL because it has a great natural resources program and because of the smaller class sizes,” Young said. “I think one of the reasons I have been enjoying law school is because the professors allow students to engage more in class discussions. The community at ASL is really something special and I’m glad they provided me the opportunity to pursue my passion.”
This summer, Young is working as an intern at the Buchanan County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, as well as at the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy in the Division of Gas and Oil.
Gifford is from Elizabethtown, Ky., and is married to Kaleb Gifford.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture with an emphasis in business from Morehead State University.
“Going to law school has been my dream for as long as I can remember,” Gifford said. “I chose ASL because it offered a small, individualized experience where I would be more than just a number. I was also very attracted to ASL’s natural resources department. I 100 percent believe I would not have thrived the way I have at anywhere else but ASL.”
Gifford, who married earlier this summer, is working now as a law clerk for the Street Law Firm in Grundy.
“We are very proud of Cait and Bailey and their accomplishments,” McGlothlin said. “They have both worked hard to distinguish themselves in our natural resources law program and we look forward to welcoming them back to campus in the fall to see them complete their law degrees and then to see their future careers in natural resources law unfold.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Appalachian School of Law rising third year students, Caitlin Young, left, and Bailey Latham Gifford, right, were recently selected to receive Energy and Mineral Law Foundation Scholarships. The two ASL students were among 11 students from eight law schools in six states selected to receive the scholarships. The photo was taken earlier this year while they were attending the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation conference.
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June 25, 2019
Media Contact: Cathy St. Clair – 276.202.0383 or cstclair@asl.edu