Roger Williams University recognized several legalmen for their academic performance on May 5.
Legalman 2nd Class Daniel Van Hooser -- who currently is stationed at Naval War College -- and Legalman 1st Class Erin Bowles -- from Region Legal Service Office Mid-Atlantic -- were inducted into the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) Honor Society. Legalman 2nd Class Linnea Walters -- who currently supports Defense Service Office (DSO) West (Detachment Bremerton) -- was awarded the University College Adult Learner Scholarship.
In addition to induction to LEX, Bowles was also inducted to Alpha Sigma Lambda, a national honor society which recognizes the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests of family, work and community.
"This is all so very surreal to me," said Bowles. "I am honored and humbled to have been recognized in such big ways. Graduating in general has been my goal since joining the Navy in 2008. It has been a long time coming, but so very worth it. As the second oldest of five children, I will be the first to graduate with their bachelor's degree. School is much easier when you are passionate about the topic you are studying which I believe is one of the main reasons I was able to excel during this degree, not to mention the support from my fiancé, friends, family, and of course my chain of command. LEX is the national honor society founded by the American Association for Paralegal Education."
There are 146 Chapters throughout the U.S. and thousands of inductees who have been honored for their outstanding academic achievements. Each year, host institutions honor students who meet high academic criteria by inducting them into LEX. Inductees receive a Certificate of Induction and their names are entered into the organization's permanent records. These are the eligibility criteria for LEX:
- Overall grade point average of 3.2 or higher and a grade point average of 3.5 within the paralegal courses of the program.
- Completed degree/certificate requirements within the past year (or will confer in the May graduation period of the academic year the award is presented)
In receiving the University College Adult Learner Scholarship, Walters outstanding contributions to her community were noted as a key factor. Walters is in her last year of her bachelor's degree in legal studies and she plans on pursuing a master's degree in cyber investigations.
"I am honored to earn this scholarship as I am already over my allotted tuition assistance for the year and I wanted to complete my degree as fast as I can," said Walters. "I have found a passion for working on legal investigations over the past year as I have been working with the command investigator. Continued education is important because it is helping me excel in my current billet at the DSO. It's also setting me up for when I decide to get out of the Navy."