The announcement was made April 9 at a press conference held on the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock campus as part of $12.75 million in federal funding secured for various programs and research. While in Little Rock, Senator Boozman also visited the law school where he attended a Veterans Legal Clinic class, met with students and faculty, and discussed their work providing legal services to Arkansas veterans. Students also engaged the senator with thoughtful questions about his background, public service, and work on issues affecting veterans, creating a meaningful exchange about the role of legal advocacy in supporting those who have served.

The Veterans Legal Services Clinic serves former servicemembers who have experienced service-related injuries or trauma, offering legal representation in VA disability compensation appeals and discharge upgrade cases. Under the supervision of a VA-accredited attorney, Bowen students in the clinic gain hands-on legal experience while providing meaningful service to veterans in need.

鈥淭his vital investment in Bowen鈥檚 Veterans Legal Services Clinic reflects a powerful truth: public legal education can and must serve the public good,鈥� said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. 鈥淏y expanding access to legal support for those who served our country鈥攎any of whom face complex bureaucratic and personal hurdles鈥攚e uphold our mission to train ethical, service-oriented lawyers. I am grateful to Senator Boozman for recognizing the importance of this work and ensuring that veterans in Arkansas receive the assistance they deserve.鈥�

As one of only a handful of legal clinics in the nation that offer a pro bono resource center along with their clinic, Bowen is able to assist over 200 veterans a year facing VA and civil legal issues.

鈥淓stablishing a full-service legal clinic for veterans housed at the Bowen School of Law will help ensure Arkansans who have served our nation can access reliable and quality legal support,鈥� said Boozman. 鈥淚鈥檓 pleased to have championed this funding and expand upon the resources Arkansas veterans can depend on through a trusted entity such as 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and I look forward to seeing its impact unfold in the years to come.鈥�

Senator Boozman serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and has long supported veterans’ issues and public legal services.

Zach Baumgarten, director of the Veterans Legal Services Clinic, expressed appreciation for the expanded support.

鈥淭he Veterans Legal Services Clinic and Pro Bono Center are honored to receive this federal appropriation, and we are grateful to Senator Boozman and his staff for their support,鈥� Baumgarten said. 鈥淭his funding will allow us to expand our statewide program and strengthen outreach so veterans in every Arkansas county know they can turn to Bowen for help with VA disability claims, discharge upgrades and other civil legal needs. It is a meaningful way to give back to those who have served.鈥�

The federal investment supports Bowen Law鈥檚 core mission of advancing access to justice, public service, and professionalism. As part of its nationally respected clinical program, the Veterans Legal Services Clinic reinforces the law school鈥檚 commitment to community-centered legal training and responsive legal education.

About the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Located in Arkansas鈥檚 capital city, the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law provides a nationally recognized, practice-ready legal education deeply connected to the state鈥檚 legal system. With a strong emphasis on access to justice, public service, and professionalism, Bowen鈥檚 hands-on approach is grounded in mentorship and real-world experience. Graduates are prepared to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across Arkansas and beyond.

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This year鈥檚 lecture brings together Professor John Yoo of the University of California at Berkeley and Professor Vikram Amar of the University of California, Davis, for an in-depth discussion on the scope of executive authority in the American legal system. Both are widely published legal thinkers whose perspectives offer valuable insights into the evolving balance of powers between the executive branch, Congress and the courts.

鈥淭his lecture provides a timely forum for informed discussion on the constitutional boundaries of executive power,鈥� said Colin Crawford, dean of the William H. Bowen School of Law. 鈥淏y hosting legal scholars with contrasting ideological and political perspectives, we aim to foster thoughtful dialogue that reflects Bowen鈥檚 commitment to public service, professionalism and legal understanding.鈥�

About the Speakers

John Yoo is the Emanuel Heller Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, and a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He is also a distinguished visiting professor at the University of Texas at Austin鈥檚 School of Civic Leadership and a senior fellow at its Civitas Institute. A former law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Yoo served in the U.S. Department of Justice on 9/11 and has worked in all three branches of government. He has authored more than 100 academic articles and numerous books and is a frequent contributor to major national publications such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and the Washington Post.

Vikram Amar is the Daniel J. Dykstra Endowed Chair and Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Davis School of Law. He previously served as dean of the University of Illinois College of Law and has held faculty positions at Berkeley, UCLA, and Northwestern, among others. Amar clerked for Justice Harry A. Blackmun of the U.S. Supreme Court and is a widely cited scholar in constitutional law, federal courts and civil procedure. He is a contributing columnist for Justia and SCOTUSblog, and a co-author of leading legal treatises and casebooks.

About the Arnold Lecture

The Arnold Lecture series, an occasional event hosted by the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law, honors the late Judge Richard Arnold and Judge Morris 鈥淏uzz鈥� Arnold, distinguished Arkansas jurists appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. In past years, the Arnold Lecture has welcomed U.S. Supreme Court justices and other celebrated legal scholars to Arkansas to examine issues central to the rule of law and democratic governance.

This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Reserve your seat at .

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Dean Colin Crawford opened the ceremony by reflecting on the perseverance shown by the graduating class. Many had completed their degrees through Bowen鈥檚 part-time evening program while balancing full-time jobs and other responsibilities, a commitment Crawford described as 鈥渧ery special鈥� to Bowen鈥檚 faculty and staff. 鈥淢ost of these students have been laboring at this for at least four years while also holding a full-time job,鈥� he said.

Judge Wendy Scholtens Wood of the Arkansas Court of Appeals delivered the keynote address. A 1996 Bowen alumna and accomplished attorney, Judge Wood offered graduates heartfelt advice rooted in both personal experience and the collective wisdom of her peers. In preparing her remarks, she consulted ten of her former classmates, now serving across sectors including public defense, nonprofit leadership, the judiciary, and private practice.

Her classmates included a federal magistrate judge, a venture capitalist, a nonprofit executive director, and attorneys in government and private roles. Wood emphasized civility as essential in Arkansas鈥檚 close-knit legal community, urged graduates to seek mentors and stay curious, and reminded them to prioritize personal well-being alongside professional achievement.

鈥淎s you begin your legal careers, I hope the advice from my class to yours serves you well,鈥� she said. 鈥淧lay the long game. Ask for help. Find mentors. And don鈥檛 be so focused on the pursuit of success that you sacrifice your health or your family.鈥�

Special guests at the ceremony included Chief Judge Phyllis M. Jones 鈥�97 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, who was joined by her judicial clerk, Louis Houser 鈥�25; and Paul Wood 鈥�96, husband of keynote speaker Judge Wendy Wood.

A reception followed the ceremony in the Law Library. Graduates also participated in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 university-wide commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Fall 2025 Bowen School of Law Graduates
Juris Doctor

• Samuel Patrick Bell
• Kristen Mary Corley
• Christina Marie Doncell, magna cum laude
• James Daniel French II
• Sonora Faye Gillespie
• James Thomas Herrod
• Sarah Khatib
• Elizabeth Jayne Kimble
• April Rene Muhammad
• Natalie Christine Rachel
• Kirsten Richey
• Johndrea Earlisha Tatum
• Verenice Perez Taylor, summa cum laude
• Mark Steven Young

The ceremony reflected Bowen鈥檚 mission to prepare students for meaningful legal careers grounded in public service, professionalism, and access to justice. As these graduates step into their legal careers, they carry forward that mission into courtrooms and communities across Arkansas and beyond.

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2025 Honorees

The program will celebrate alumni and friends whose leadership exemplifies Bowen鈥檚 values of access to justice, public service, and professionalism. This year鈥檚 honorees were selected by the Bowen Law School Alumni Board.

Leslie Rutledge 鈥�01, Distinguished Alumnus Award. Arkansas Lieutenant Governor and the state鈥檚 first female Attorney General, Rutledge has devoted her career to public service through roles that include deputy counsel in the Governor鈥檚 Office, deputy prosecuting attorney, and attorney for the Division of Children and Family Services.

Brig. Gen. John Payne, U.S. Army, retired 鈥�97, Outstanding Alumnus in Public Service. A veteran of Operation Just Cause and former commander of the 77th Aviation Brigade, Brigadier General (Ret.) Payne currently leads the Civil Division in the Office of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin. His military awards include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.

Edith Chavez De Oseguera 鈥�20, Emerging Leader Award, A partner at United Law Group and an immigration and family law attorney, Chavez De Oseguera serves as a contractor for Arkansas Access to Justice, manages the Arkansas Free Legal Answers program, and supports the Mexican Consulate and nonprofits across the state. She has been recognized with Bowen鈥檚 Dean鈥檚 Distinguished Public Service Award and LALSA鈥檚 Alumni of the Year Award for Public Service.

Byron M. Eiseman, Jr., Friend of Bowen Award, A longtime partner at Friday, Eldredge & Clark and an adjunct professor at Bowen Law for 50 years, Eiseman helped found the Tax Section of the Arkansas Bar Association and has held leadership roles across civic, faith-based, and cultural organizations, including the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Baptist Health Foundation.

鈥淭hese four honorees reflect the best of Bowen Law. Their leadership and service strengthen Arkansas and the legal profession,鈥� said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. 鈥淲e are proud to recognize their achievements and the example they set for our students.鈥�

鈥淭he Alumni Luncheon is more than a celebration of our accomplished honorees,鈥� said Molly McNulty 鈥�12, director of development and external relations. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a bridge between Bowen鈥檚 proud history and the future we鈥檙e building through our students. Every ticket, every table, every gift is an investment in the next generation of lawyers. This event brings our community together to honor excellence and extend opportunity.鈥�

Tickets are available at .

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Leaders from both institutions formalized the partnership on August 29 during a ceremony at Centenary’s Hall of Fame Room. The agreement guarantees admission to Bowen Law for Centenary students who meet specific academic criteria: a bachelor’s degree from Centenary, a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher, and a minimum LSAT score of 154 within five years of starting law school.

“Bowen Law is proud to join Centenary College as our first 4+3 partner outside the state of Arkansas,” said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to preparing talented students for meaningful legal careers.”

Bowen Law’s capital city location gives students unique access to state government, nonprofit organizations, and leading legal employers. Recognized by preLaw Magazine as a Best Value Law School and a Top Public Service School, Bowen continues to expand its reach through partnerships that align with its core values: access to justice, public service, and professionalism.

Centenary College President Christopher Holoman described the agreement as “path-breaking” and shared how excited students were to engage with Dean Crawford during their campus visit.

鈥淚 attended our annual activity fair, Campus Connections, earlier this week and talked to one of the students at the pre-law table. She was so excited about this opportunity and for the chance to really talk to the leadership of the law school during their visit to Centenary this week,鈥� Holoman said.

During the ceremony, Dean Crawford gave special thanks to Dr. Cragin “Craig” Shelton, a 1971 Centenary alumnus and current Bowen Law student, who helped facilitate the partnership and was present for the event. Crawford also praised the Centenary undergraduates he met during his two-day campus visit.

“I spent much of yesterday with many of your students in different settings,” Crawford said. “They were so impressive and so eager to learn about law. I really hope we鈥檒l be welcoming them to the Bowen School of Law and look forward to this collaboration.”

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Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Rhonda K. Wood, a 1999 Bowen graduate, delivered the keynote address. She encouraged the new students to act with integrity, serve the public, and help promote trust in the justice system throughout their careers.

Justice Wood then led the students in reciting the Pledge of Professionalism, a shared commitment to ethical conduct and personal responsibility. Afterward, she invited them to wear the Bowen pin as a visible reminder of the values that will guide them through law school and beyond.

Dean Colin Crawford also spoke, reflecting on Bowen鈥檚 proud alumni network and the importance of professionalism in legal education and practice. He introduced members of the Bowen faculty and welcomed them as mentors for the journey ahead.

The ceremony marked an important beginning for the newest members of the Bowen community. With hands-on training, close mentorship, and a deep connection to Arkansas鈥檚 legal system, Bowen students are preparing to build legal careers that make a difference鈥攊n courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across the state and beyond. A reception followed, hosted by Dean Crawford, offering students and faculty a chance to connect and celebrate the start of the academic year.

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The law school鈥檚 Day of Service is a long-standing Bowen tradition that kicks off orientation with a clear message: public service is not just part of the curriculum, it is a foundational value.

At Dunbar, students painted a basketball court and chalkboard wall, refreshed landscaping, assembled bookshelves, and installed bulletin boards and picnic tables. They also supported school programs through the delivery of more than 100 freezer-sized nutrition bags, 10 bags of donated clothing, and more than 100 hygiene products for Brian鈥檚 Closet.

鈥淭he legal profession is, at its best, a profession of service,鈥� said Colin Crawford, dean of the law school. 鈥淎t Bowen, we begin cultivating that commitment from day one. Our Day of Service is more than symbolic; it reflects a deeper reality of who we are as a law school. Each year, our students deliver thousands of hours of pro bono legal service to Arkansans, and this early experience reminds them that their legal education is not separate from the needs of the community. We are proud to partner with schools like Dunbar and to contribute, in a small but tangible way, to the city we call home.鈥�

Dunbar Middle School shared a message of thanks following the event: 鈥淔rom sprucing up our spaces to showing genuine care for our students and staff, their efforts have left a lasting mark on our school community. Their generosity and hard work didn鈥檛 just improve our physical environment 鈥� they reminded us what it means to come together in service and support.鈥�

The project was a collaboration between Bowen Law and Dunbar Middle School, with support from local businesses. The Good Earth Garden Center donated mulch, rock, and potting soil, while Southern Lawn provided transportation for large flowerpots. Bowen contributed new flowers and flowerpots for the entry, new flags and picnic tables, along with other supplies, materials, and labor.

Organizers said the event gave students an immediate connection between their legal ambitions and their role in the broader community.

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Bowen ranked:

• #34 in Legal Writing (tied)
• #48 in Alternative Dispute Resolution (tied)
• #90 in Clinical Training (tied)

“糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law prides itself on our extensive practical training and experiential and clinical education opportunities,鈥� said Colin Crawford, Dean of the Bowen School of Law. 鈥淭hese rankings are evidence of our commitment and success in these areas. We are proud of the faculty who make this possible – and for our outstanding, dedicated students.鈥�

U.S. News & World Report evaluates graduate programs across the country based on faculty quality, student outcomes, peer assessment, and other academic indicators.

Bowen鈥檚 recognition in Legal Writing and Alternative Dispute Resolution highlights the law school鈥檚 emphasis on practical, hands-on learning and strong communication skills鈥攃ritical tools for successful legal practice. The ranking in Clinical Training acknowledges the school鈥檚 ongoing investment in experiential education, which allows students to work directly with real clients under faculty supervision.

The full list of Bowen’s rankings is available on the .

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Each year, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock celebrates faculty members who have made a meaningful impact through their contributions in teaching, research, public service, and social justice. Beiner and Cook were selected from a competitive pool of 18 college-level honorees representing academic units across the university.

Beiner, professor of constitutional law, was honored with the Faculty Excellence Award in Research and Creative Endeavors, sponsored by Renee Golzar and Dr. Jaafer Golzar. Dr. Golzar is a physician practicing in Chicago, a Donaghey Scholar alumni, and was the 2022 Distinguished Alumni honoree of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

Cook, assistant professor of law, earned the Rising Faculty Excellence Award sponsored by Dr. Scott Bowen. Dr. Bowen has a strong connection to the university, as the William H. Bowen School of Law bears his father鈥檚 name. In his own right, Dr. Bowen is a well-respected orthopedic surgeon practicing in Little Rock.

Beiner: Faculty Excellence Award for Research and Creative Endeavors

Beiner has been a member of the Bowen faculty for 30 years and served as dean from 2018 to 2023. Her nationally and internationally recognized scholarship focuses on employment discrimination law, judicial diversity, and civil procedure. Her work has been cited more than 4,790 times on Google Scholar and published in prestigious legal journals.

Her forthcoming publications include a law review article on the impact of judicial diversity in employment discrimination cases, the third edition of her co-authored Civil Procedure casebook, and a chapter on sexual harassment in the 鈥�Oxford Handbook of Feminism and Law鈥� in the United States. Additionally, she has signed a contract with Harvard University Press to co-author, 鈥淲hat the Best Legal Mentors Do.鈥�

鈥淚 am honored that the university has recognized my scholarship with this award,鈥� Beiner said. 鈥淔or the past 30 years, my research has focused on issues that shape our legal system, from employment discrimination law to judicial diversity. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and students, whose insights and collaboration have enriched my work. This recognition reaffirms my commitment to advancing legal scholarship and contributing to meaningful discussions in the field.鈥�

Cook: Rising Faculty Excellence Award

Cook was recognized for his exceptional teaching, scholarly promise, and leadership. Students describe him as a caring, approachable professor who fosters an engaging and inclusive learning environment. He is known for integrating active learning into legal writing and research instruction in a way that makes complex material accessible and practical.

In addition to his classroom contributions, Cook serves as director of Bowen鈥檚 Rural Practice Incubator Project and is affiliated with the Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform. His research explores topics in national security and legal writing.

鈥淚 am beyond honored and humbled to receive this award,鈥� Cook said. 鈥淭his was a true surprise, and I am incredibly grateful. My deepest thanks to the university, the Board of Visitors, the committee, and all of our donors for this tremendous honor. I am absolutely thrilled.鈥�

About the Awards

Established in 1989, the Faculty Excellence Awards have recognized outstanding faculty achievement for 35 years. The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Board of Visitors selected the university-wide winners from a pool of 18 faculty members representing their respective colleges and the William H. Bowen School of Law. Each university-level award recipient will receive a $5,000 prize.

Dr. Julien Mirivel, Dr. Lindsay Ruhr, and Morgan Leyenberger were also recognized as recipients of the university-level award.

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In the 1970s, environmental law societies formed on law school campuses across the nation as part of the environmental movement. These organizations aimed to introduce students to the issues surrounding the environment and the practice of environmental law. Today, students at Bowen are not just learning about environmental issues or the laws in place to protect the planet; they鈥檙e taking action, applying knowledge beyond the walls of the classroom to help preserve Earth鈥檚 natural resources. Their most recent project 鈥� a pollinator garden on the east side of the law school鈥檚 campus.

In recent years, pollinator gardens have grown in popularity, especially among environmentalist and even the federal government, who in 2014 established a federal task force to promote the health of honey bees and other pollinators. The government noted the significant loss in pollinators in years prior as a serious problem requiring immediate attention to ensure the sustainability of the U.S. food production system and to protect the environment. Among the panel鈥檚 recommendations: encourage more pollinator-friendly plantings 鈥� setting off a wave of pollinator gardens across the nation.

鈥淥ur environment, globally, is in trouble,鈥� says Lynn Foster, professor emeritus and faculty advisor to the school鈥檚 Environmental Law Society. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 happening is that native plants are being destroyed. There are many causes of the destruction, including habitat loss, non-native invasive species, and herbicides.鈥�

Foster explains there are 44 million acres of non-native lawn in the U.S.  creating what is known as deadscapes 鈥� landscapes that provide no food or habitat for wildlife, thus contributing to the loss of pollinators such as bees and insects. Pollinator gardens are an attempt to curb the loss of native pollinators by providing them with food and habitat. The gardens can also produce seeds and berries for birds, which have significantly decreased in number over the years.

Foster, a member of the Central Arkansas Master Naturalists, presented the idea of a pollinator garden on campus to the student members of Bowen鈥檚 Environmental Law Society. Enthusiastic about the prospect of a pollinator garden on campus, the students sprang into action, teaming up with Foster and a team of master naturalists to set the project in motion.

鈥淲e were excited about the prospect of starting a pollinator garden on campus,鈥� Katy Wright, a second-year law student and Vice-President of the Environmental Law Society, said. 鈥淚 immediately thought it was a fantastic idea, but I was worried about the location and how the garden would be maintained.鈥�

There was plenty of work to be done, but the students were up for the challenge. From location scouting and approval processes, to fundraising, plant selection and garden building, the students had a hand in it all.

鈥淲e initially discussed creating a garden on one of the school鈥檚 balconies,鈥� Wright said. 鈥淟uckily, we were able to secure the current location 鈥� an area of land on the east side of the law school 鈥� which allowed us to do more with the space.鈥�

With the location identified, the society鈥檚 officers 鈥擧annah Frey, Katy Wright, and Hannah Gore Gipson 鈥� proceeded to fundraise, each contributing information to applications for grant funding, and organizing a fundraiser of their own to help fund the project.  The team designed t-shirts and sold them to students and the community with all proceeds going towards the garden.

鈥淚 was involved with getting the project approved with campus leadership and securing a grant from the sustainability committee to help fund the project,鈥� Hannah Frey, President of Bowen鈥檚 Environmental Law Society said. 鈥淥ur mission is to educate and advocate鈥nd we wanted to do that in a way that the Bowen community hadn鈥檛 experienced before 鈥� a nice little nature spot for people to enjoy.鈥�

On planting day, the students joined Professor Foster and other master naturalists including Steve Hyatt, information technology manager at Bowen, and master naturalist in-training, Melissa Serfass, Bowen鈥檚 electronic resources and reference librarian, to begin work in the garden.

Today, the garden has native plants that bloom from February through November and produces food and habitat for pollinating insects and other pollinators. Additionally, it serves as an educational tool and a recreational space for the Bowen community.  Each plant is identified with signage and a QR code linking visitors to online information including pictures of the plant and how it serves the ecosystem in terms of hosting insects and supporting pollinators.

鈥淭he pollinator garden is a physical example of what it means to be a good steward of what you have in front of you鈥�,鈥� says Hannah Gore Gipson, secretary of Bowen鈥檚 Environmental Law Society said. 鈥淲e took a very small area in the middle of a concrete parking lot and university campus to foster a more sustainable and beneficial ecosystem for our community. Working on this project and being a part of the Environmental Law Society has truly impacted my life in profound ways by allowing me to see that there is a place for environmental law and positive changes in our state.鈥�

Professor Foster and the Environmental Law Society planted about one-third of the garden in fall of 2023 with the help of faculty, staff, and other master naturalists. The group plans to finish planting the remaining two-thirds of the garden this spring.

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