Dean Colin Crawford opened the ceremony by reflecting on the perseverance shown by the graduating class. Many had completed their degrees through Bowen’s part-time evening program while balancing full-time jobs and other responsibilities, a commitment Crawford described as “very special” to Bowen’s faculty and staff. “Most of these students have been laboring at this for at least four years while also holding a full-time job,” 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’s close-knit legal community, urged graduates to seek mentors and stay curious, and reminded them to prioritize personal well-being alongside professional achievement.

“As you begin your legal careers, I hope the advice from my class to yours serves you well,” she said. “Play the long game. Ask for help. Find mentors. And don’t be so focused on the pursuit of success that you sacrifice your health or your family.”

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

A reception followed the ceremony in the Law Library. Graduates also participated in ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock’s 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’s 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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Held at the Little Rock Marriott, the annual Distinguished Alumni Luncheon raised critical funds for student scholarships and offered a moment to celebrate the lasting impact of Bowen’s legal education — in courtrooms, communities, and beyond.

Among this year’s honorees were Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge ’01, who received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. She shared personal stories from her time at Bowen, tracing her path to becoming the first woman elected as both Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor in Arkansas. “The law is a powerful tool,” she said. “Use it wisely, boldly, and to lift others up. Lead with integrity and serve with tenacity.”

Brigadier General John Payne (Ret.) ’97, recipient of the Outstanding Public Service Award, spoke of his dual commitment to military service and civil litigation. He credited Bowen’s night program with making that balance possible. “Without a night program,” he said, “I most definitely wouldn’t be standing here today.”

Edith Chavez De Oseguera ’20, who accepted the Emerging Leader Award, delivered a moving speech about her journey as an immigrant, mother, and now advocate for underserved Arkansans. “No story, no matter where it begins, is ever too small to change the world,” she said.

Byron M. Eiseman, Jr., a longtime adjunct professor and mentor, was honored with the Friend of Bowen Award. He reflected on five decades of teaching and the legacy of Dean Bill Bowen. “When you think about teaching,” he said, “what you’re hoping is that those in your class will bear fruit in the long run.”

Dean Colin Crawford opened the program by acknowledging a year of change — and the strength of the Bowen community. “Bowen’s strength is built on the backs of all of you,” he told attendees. “Your continued involvement as mentors, advocates, and champions is absolutely central to us.”

The event also featured a heartfelt address from Aziza Taki, a first-year student and scholarship recipient. A first-generation student from small-town Arkansas, Taki shared how her experience at Bowen has already shaped her confidence and sense of purpose. She credited the community’s support for making that possible: “Your generosity doesn’t just open doors,” she said. “It builds bridges for people like me to cross into a future we once thought was out of reach.”

Proceeds from the luncheon support Bowen student scholarships — helping ensure that financial barriers never stand in the way of someone building a career in law and public service.

About the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law
Located in Arkansas’s capital city, the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law provides nationally recognized, practice-ready legal education deeply connected to the state’s legal system. With a strong emphasis on access to justice, public service, and professionalism, Bowen prepares graduates to lead in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across Arkansas and beyond.

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ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law held its 11th annual alumni awards luncheon Friday, October 13, honoring three notable alumni for their contributions to the legal community, their commitment to public service, and the impact of their leadership within the state and beyond.

“In my first year as dean, it is an honor to be able to greet the Bowen community at the most important alumni event of the fall semester and to be able to celebrate our three remarkable honorees,” said Dean Colin Crawford.

Kevin A. Crass received the Distinguished Alumnus award, the highest honor awarded to an alum by the Bowen School of Law. Crass is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group with Arkansas’s largest law firm, Friday, Eldredge & Clark, LLP.  He focuses his practice on significant, complex business litigation in federal and state courts, and he has also served as personal counsel to several of the State’s constitutional officers. Crass currently serves on the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Board of Trustees, among several other important community involvements.

Judge Amy Dunn Johnson (’02) received the Outstanding Alumna in Public Service Award. Johnson presides as a family judge for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court. Prior to her election in 2020, Judge Johnson was the Executive Director of the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission, which exists to provide equal access to justice in civil cases for all Arkansans. She also served as the CEO of the Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation and the Arkansas Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program.

Cody McKinney (’21) received the Emerging Young Alumni Award. McKinney is a Lieutenant in the United States Coast Guard serving as a staff attorney with the Coast Guard Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG). During his time at Bowen, McKinney served in the mediation clinic and as an editor at both of the school’s law journals, among other activities.

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