26th Annual Harpole Awards & Ceremony

On April 4th, members of the Joyce Ann Harpole Committee, supporters, friends and family of the Harpole recipients, celebrated another year of the Joyce Ann Harpole Awards, marking this the 26th year. Overlooking the gorgeous view from the 30th floor of Stoel Rives, founding members of the Harpole Committee, former classmates and colleagues, as well as Joyce’s husband, daughter, and son-in-law were also in attendance to celebrate the special anniversary of this unique award. Past Harpole Scholarship, Akriti Bhargava ’22, flew in from Boston to be the emcee for the evening.

Marking the award’s 25th anniversary, keynote speaker, Judge Rima Ghandour, spoke about maintaining the so-called “work life balance” that Joyce was known for. “In my experience, something’s got to give. And for me, it was housecleaning! I directed my time to family, friends, and work.”

Dean Jennifer Johnson thanked the Harpole committee for its meaningful financial help for our students for the last 26 years. “Joyce Harpole scholarship exemplifies what our law school and law students stand for – the importance of community,” noting that recipients are nominated by their peers.

The 2024 Harpole Attorney Award recipient is Diana Bettles ’13, who, because of a delayed flight, joined the ceremony virtually. Her colleague Major Sammy Sanchez nominated her and introduced Diana. “Diana practices law in Klamath County where she is an amazing lawyer with a thriving family law business, with a passion for criminal defense. Being a native of Klamath County, she represents her clients with as much care and time as she would a loved one.” She noted that Diana is a very disciplined lawyer with a tireless work ethic and a well-deserved reputation as a formidable trial lawyer. In addition to her being able to effortlessly balance her various commitments, she is committed to her family, raising five children and two grandchildren. Diana “is a happy person and is full of life!”

The 2024 Harpole Scholarship Award recipient is Jessica Bridges’25, a law 2L law student and a mother of two. Prior to becoming a law student, she had a full varied career, serving as a Realtor and a flight attendant. After a health scare that put her life into perspective, she decided to go to law school to show her kids that it is never too late to achieve your dreams.

Professor Sandy Patrick, developed a close relationship with Jessica because of the incredible adversity Jessica faced. Jessica lived in a trailer during her first semester of law school while her husband and two children remained in Colorado in order to sell their house. Other students might have taken a leave of absence, but not Jessica. Patrick noted, that Jessica “is strong and resilient, as well as authentic and caring of others – she is always the first to offer help and is the type of person who reaches out before someone needs something, and who really means it when she offers her help.”

To contribute to the Joyce Ann Harpole Memorial Scholarship to support more students like Jessica, please click here. To see more photos from the event, click here. For more information about all the past Harpole Award winners, click here.