Written by: Katie Linder
Three University of Iowa College of Law staff members received annual staff awards for showing exceptional leadership and making a positive impact on the college.
Each honoree received recognition at the annual staff retreat and earned a monetary award. New this year, the College of Law Employee Engagement Committee solicited nominations, which were reviewed and chosen by a subcommittee of staff.
Learn more about each award recipient and their work at the college:
Jo Butterfield, UI Center for Human Rights
Jo Butterfield serves many roles in the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights. She serves as a student and education support specialist, an adjunct faculty member, and as the program advisor for the certificate. In a nomination letter, Butterfield received praise for strengthening the college’s undergraduate Human Rights Certificate program and growing enrollment to over 110 students from across the university.
“This not only benefits the certificate program and Center for Human Rights but has significant strategic value to the broader College of Law as the vast majority of certificate students are pre-law or exploring. Jo therefore is a key player in developing the pipeline of UI undergraduates considering Iowa Law for a JD program,” a nomination letter stated.
Eric Earhart, Law Library
Eric Earhart serves as an interlibrary loan and circulation assistant in the Law Library. In a nomination letter, Earhart was praised for his longevity, work, and skill in locating and retrieving resources outside of the law library collection. It was also noted that he earned his master’s degree in library science and continues to seek educational opportunities.
“Eric has vast knowledge of the library's collection and is one of its chief stewards. He cares deeply about sharing the resources of our library,” a nomination letter said. “Eric is a quiet leader, but he is the first person many of us go to with questions about the collection. He doesn't seek out recognition or accolades, but he's one of the hardest workers in the library.”
Amy Kassem, College of Law Administration
Amy Kassem serves as director of alumni relations in the College of Law. Amy received two nomination letters from colleagues for her work. They both noted her exceptional service and highlighted that the planning and execution of her events is often done single-handedly, even while her scope has grown as she seeks more sponsorships and plans more regional alumni events.
“This is a lot for any one person to handle–and she carries it all with a positive, can-do attitude while executing it. Even weeks where she’s traveling and buried in details and execution. I believe Amy is incredibly deserving of this recognition for all she does and handles for the benefit of the college, with much of this work done on her own,” a nomination letter said.
The other letter stated, “Even though Amy’s days are packed with event planning, she always makes time to speak with student groups considering outreach to firms or alumni for fundraising. She is patient, approachable, and happy to answer questions from students, staff, and alumni alike. Amy is also willing to pitch in wherever help is needed.”