Twelve Students Honored with 2025 Denise Carty-Bennia Memorial Bar Awards
04.14.25—Northeastern University School of Law is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Denise Carty-Bennia Memorial Bar Awards, which recognize students who exemplify a commitment to social justice and academic excellence in the spirit of the late Professor Denise Carty-Bennia. The 32nd Annual Denise Carty-Bennia Memorial Bar Awards Reception will take place on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 4:00 to 5:15 PM in 250 Dockser Hall. This year’s keynote speaker is Asha White ’04, associate justice of the Massachusetts District Court.
Thanks to our generous donors, 12 students have been selected to receive this meaningful award:
Chantel Cohen ’25*
Roumita Dey ’25*
Elena Kuran ’25*
Merissa Spaulding ’25*
Madhu Srikantha ’25*
Isaiah Barrientos ’25
Meghan Leong ’25
Jennifer Loveland-Rose ’25
Tia Martin ’25
Emily Mensing ’25
Lawal Oluwafisola ’25
Kyanna Patterson ’25
* Five of the 12 students were selected for additional funds in recognition of their outstanding work in communities of color — excerpts of their essays will be read at the reception.
The award honors the life and legacy of Professor Denise Carty-Bennia, a highly successful attorney and tireless educator, advisor, mentor and friend to countless Northeastern law students. She was dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence and the expansion of opportunities for people of color. Professor Carty-Bennia’s untimely death in 1990 created a void for many who knew her and her work.
““It’s the law school’s great pleasure to again honor the work and memory of Professor Denise Carty-Bennia through bar awards — for the 32nd year in a row,” said Mielle Marquis, Director of Alumni/ae Engagement and Initiatives. “We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors and supporters, who allow us to support and celebrate these remarkable students.”
Awardees are selected annually by the Alumni/ae Association Board of Directors through a competitive application process. The funds support graduating students who will be supporting communities of color.
If you would like to support this important cause, please visit:
https://law.northeastern.edu/alumni/news-and-events/denise-carty-bennia-memorial-bar-awards-reception/
The nation’s leader in experiential legal education since 1968, Northeastern University School of Law offers the longest-running, most extensive experience-based legal education program in the country. Northeastern guarantees its students unparalleled practical legal work experiences through its signature Cooperative Legal Education Program. More than 1,100 employers in a wide range of legal, government, nonprofit and business organizations participate in the program. With a focus on social justice and innovation, Northeastern University School of Law blends theory and practice, providing students with a unique set of skills and experiences to successfully practice law.
For more information, contact d.feldman@northeastern.edu.