South Texas College of Law Houston’s Alumni Association presented three 2024 honors Thursday at its annual Alumni Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at the Julia Ideson Building. For the first time, all three award recipients were women.
Nearly 250 former students, faculty, and friends of the college gathered to reconnect and celebrate this year’s award recipients. The event was part of STCL Houston’s annual Reunion Week activities.
View more photos from the event here: 2024 Alumni Luncheon and Awards Ceremony
Hon. Eva Guzman ’89, now a partner at Wright Close & Barger, LLP received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor presented by the Alumni Association.
In introducing her, the chair of the awards selection committee Eric D’Olive ’11 said Guzman is widely known for breaking barriers. She was the first Latina to serve on the Texas Supreme Court. She is passionate about advancing the next generation of lawyers, especially women and Latinas.
“Sitting in a classroom at my beloved South Texas College of Law Houston, I would have never imagined standing here today,” Guzman said. “My career is a testament to the wonderful professors who taught a young woman from Houston’s East End, who had never met a lawyer… professors like the late Dean Gerald Treece, the late Professor Charles Weigel, and professors like Elaine Carlson, who continue to shape the law.”
Guzman shared her love for her alma mater and noted the many lives the law school has impacted — both the students who have attended and those who have been served by the legal clinics on campus.
“Thank you again for this honor of a lifetime,” she said.
Jennifer Falk ’06 received the Alumni Association’s Public Service Award. Following her career as a successful prosecutor in Houston and Dallas, Falk is now a partner at Mccathern, Shokouhi, Evans in Dallas. She is an active member of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association and its Women’s Mentoring Circle.
“South Texas forged and created my identity, and my life in the law has cemented that identity,” Falk said. “I was taught to create a professional legacy, and I am honored and grateful that I have the opportunity to be someone who works to improve people’s lives.”
D’Olive said of Falk, “Jennifer never wavered in her devotion to support up-and-coming lawyers. She represents those who need a voice, and does so with skill, finesse, and a kind and thoughtful heart. As noted by the alumna who nominated her, ‘She is committed to the rule of law, of justice, and of supporting others in the profession!’ ”
Dominique Hinson ’14 is this year’s recipient of the Young Alumni Award. Hinson was Director of Appellate Advocacy and taught at STCL Houston. She is now an associate professor at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.
D’Olive talked about Hinson’s decade supporting students in the South Texas Law Advocacy Program, and how she “created an environment of comfort, fellowship and support. She reminded us frequently that alumni came back to support us, and we need to do the same.”
Speaking to her students in the crowd, Hinson said, “I remember what it feels like to be a student, and I know what you’re going through. It was the honor of my lifetime to be able to teach you and mentor you. I believe that whatever someone has given you, you should give it back ten-fold. It’s always been important to me to help people meet their moment. Just like Dean Gerald Treece did for me, I encourage you all to choose places in this life where you can be a lighthouse.”
The setting for the awards event is nearly as storied as South Texas Law. Completed in 1926 as Houston’s main library, the Julia Ideson Building was constructed in the Spanish Renaissance style. In 1951, Houston’s City Council voted to name the main library in honor of Julia Ideson, the city’s first professional librarian, who served for 42 years.
Background:
The Alumni Awards are presented annually by the South Texas College of Law Houston Alumni Association to recognize highly distinguished alumni for extraordinary achievements and contributions to their professions, local communities, and the college. Award recipients are selected by the Awards Committee of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Distinguished Alumni Award — The highest award presented by the Alumni Association, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes outstanding civic contribution to the community in which he or she lives. Each recipient must demonstrate significant leadership to South Texas College of Law Houston and significant contributions to the legal profession.
Public Service Award — This award recognizes an alumnus who has made significant contributions and performed sustained work in a public service position.
Young Alumni Award — New in 2016, this award is presented to an alumnus who has graduated in the past 10 years and has made significant leadership and service contributions to South Texas College of Law Houston and the legal profession.
