Donald C. McCleary Gardere Leadership Scholarship Awarded to SMU Student Angela Oliver
Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP presented the 2015 Donald C. McCleary Gardere Leadership Scholarship to law student Angela Oliver at the Dallas Bar Foundation Fellows Luncheon on April 1. Ms. Oliver is a second-year law student at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
A registered patent agent, Ms. Oliver is fluent in seven computer programming languages. She serves as a mentor to first-year law students through the Student Bar Association and was selected "Best Speaker" at the Thomas Tang Moot Court Regional Competition in the fall of 2014.
Ms. Oliver graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in bioinformatics and a minor in chemistry. She was elected the external vice president of Baylor Student Body, a position designated to foster a positive relationship between Baylor students and the surrounding Waco community, and founded the "Passport to Waco" project. In addition, Ms. Oliver organized an on-campus blood drive to assist the victims of the nearby Fort Hood Shootings.
The Donald C. McCleary Gardere Leadership Scholarship is awarded annually to a second-year SMU law student in memory of former Gardere Managing Partner Don McCleary. Recipients are evaluated and chosen based on excellence in academics, leadership, character and involvement in both law school and the community, core values embraced by Mr. McCleary.
"As Ms. Oliver has amply demonstrated through her service to others, being an effective leader requires more than simply being organized, efficient and visionary," says Gardere Chair Holland N. O’Neil. "An effective leader encourages others and facilitates their success. Ms. Oliver embodies what it means to be an effective leader, and in turn, embodies the spirit of Don McCleary. It is with great pride that we present her with the 2015 Donald C. McCleary Gardere Leadership Scholarship."
Mr. McCleary served as Gardere's managing partner from 1991 through 1995, before he passed away in 1996. His vision for Gardere included participation in local, state and national public affairs, humanitarian activities andpro bono work. He established many of the community outreach programs that have become the hallmark of the Firm, including the Annual Gardere MLK Jr. Oratory Competition, which this year celebrated its 23rd anniversary in Dallas and its 19th anniversary in Houston.
For additional information regarding the Donald C. McCleary Gardere Leadership Scholarship, including a list of past recipients, please visit the Gardere Community page.