In search of justice

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2016 SPA OFFICERS INCLUDE
(front row, left to right) Elise
Iannone JD/MELP’18, Emma-
Rose Boyle JD’17, (back row, on
right) Joseph Haase JD’19, and
Michael Ferrari JD/MELP’19.
Not pictured: Robert Reeves
JD/MELP’18.
SPA (Student Philanthropy Ambassadors)
ELISE IANNONE ’17, A JD/MELP CANDIDATE, JOINED
THE STUDENT PHILANTHROPY AMBASSADORS
(SPA) DURING HER FIRST YEAR AT VERMONT LAW
SCHOOL. “What initially attracted me to the group were
the practical skills we would gain from participating,”
Elise described, reflected on her decision to participate
in this newly formed group of students dedicated to
spearheading each year’s class gift campaign. “There is
a lot of networking going on, making phone calls and
writing letters and e-mails, all of which have to be professional
and well-written, so I knew right off the bat
this was going to be something that would not be your
run-of-the-mill extra-curricular activity.”
Conceptualized by Leah Giffin, Development Officer,
and Rachel Noyes, Advancement Operations Coordinator—both
working out of the Office for Institutional
Advancement—and guided by Giffin, Noyes, and a team
of faculty and staff advisors, SPA formed in 2015 with the
mission to foster a culture of philanthropy at Vermont
Law School. Through organizing student body events to
raise money for the class gift to hosting a commencement
barbecue, SPA endeavors to create legacies that
persist for generations of students to come. Through
participating in learning activities, SPA members prepare
for their own future professions by gaining experience
in fundraising and organizational advancement.
In her role as events manager for SPA, Elise brings
enthusiasm and conviction to the group: “SPA is an
important group because it builds upon so many skills
that we will all have to face in the years of our careers.”
She continued, “I’ve had the privilege of working with a
talented and inspiring group of people who always put
100 percent into what we’re working on, and I’m looking
forward to bringing in a new group of students.”
Learn more about SPA at connect.vermontlaw.edu/spa.
Follow their activities on Twitter @VLS_Philanthrop and
on Facebook: facebook.com/VLSSPA.
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