Melissa Allen's four years of hard work as an undergraduatestudent at The University of Memphis paid off with a scholarship toThe U of M Law School.
The Amy Elizabeth Spain Scholarship for 2003-2004 was awarded toAllen, a first year student at the Cecil C. Humphreys School ofLaw.
Allen received the scholarship based on academic merit,dedication to the community and personal diligence.
"It was really an accreditation for what I've been doing," Allensaid.
Allen graduated magna cum laude with a 3.61 GPA from The U of M,majoring in art history with a minor in history. She is a member ofthe honor societies Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, Gamma Beta Phiand Golden Key.
The parents of Amy Spain founded the scholarship in honor oftheir daughter, a former U of M law school graduate who died in acar wreck in 1995.
"When I heard I was receiving this scholarship, I was touched,"Allen said. "I've tried hard this semester to honor hermemory."
The scholarship is given annually on a one-time basis to afirst-year student at the law school.
"When I applied, I was automatically entered in for ascholarship by the law school," Allen said.
The U of M Foundation, which has control over all endowed moneygiven to The University for scholarships, decides on the recipientof the $3,000 scholarship.
"The honors and awards committee decides, but it is typicallygiven to a Tennessean, generally a West Tennessean, like Spainwas," said Sueann McClellan, assistant dean of law.
Spain graduated with a degree in law from The U of M in 1989 andworked as a clerk for the U.S. District Court Judge James D. Todd.She became an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District ofTennessee in 1990.
At The U of M, Spain taught as an adjunct professor of legalmethods and writing.
Spain was also influential in the Memphis community,volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and serving on the boardof directors at the Fogelman Downtown YMCA.
Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno recognized Spain for herexcellence in performance after her death. The Memphis BarAssociation also recognized Spain after her death by giving her theSam A. Myar Jr. Memorial Award, which honors lawyers under 40 yearsof age for exceptional performance in the field of law and fortheir continued service to the community and to theirprofession.
