Daily Briefs

Wayne Law student receives woman of distinction award


Third-year Wayne State University Law School student Rachel L. McDuffie of Belleville has been awarded the Woman of Distinction Student Award from the WSU President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

The Nov. 2 awards reception celebrated three honorees who have demonstrated a commitment to women and/or issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. The event was presented jointly by the Wayne State University President’s Commission on the Status of Women and Wayne Women LEAD.

“In the 11 years I’ve worked at the law school, Rachel McDuffie is one of the most exceptional students to join the incoming class. We are truly fortunate to have her in the Wayne Law community,” said Wayne Law Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Felicia Thomas, who nominated McDuffie for the honor. “Her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is not simply something to do or a box to be checked on a long list of accomplishments; it’s a part of who she is.  When she graduates next May, it will be a bittersweet moment for all of us.”

An aspiring prosecutor, McDuffie is a legal intern at the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. She also works part-time with the law school’s Office of Marketing and Communications and served on the law school’s Diversity Task Force. In February 2017, McDuffie established “Real Talk with Rachel,” an initiative that provides prospective students with one-on-one insight into the admissions process.

McDuffie is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, including Wayne Law’s Damon J. Keith Scholarship. The Damon J. Keith Scholarship is available to incoming Wayne Law students who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Hispanic-serving institutions; Detroit public high schools and charter schools; and Michigan priority high schools.

Since enrolling at Wayne Law, she has worked to increase awareness of the scholarship and build a community of student and alumni awardees.

McDuffie earned her master of public health degree from the University of Michigan, her bachelor’s degree from Xavier University in Louisiana and is a graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit.

 

Michigan nonprofit settles recess injury lawsuit for $25K


FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan nonprofit has settled a lawsuit over a recess injury that occurred at a charter school it operates.

The Flint Journal reports that the North Flint Reinvestment Corporation was ordered to pay $25,000 last month for the October 2015 incident at Eagle’s Nest Academy public charter school.

Court records say a group of students attacked a 10-year-old boy and broke his arm. The lawsuit alleges that there were no adult supervisors on the playground, despite the boy’s mother having expressed concerns to school administrators about other students physically bullying her son.

The corporation argued that there was a lack of evidence to show the organization directly caused the boy’s injuries.

Genesee County Circuit Judge Geoffrey Neithercut dismissed the academy as a defendant in the case, saying it’s entitled to governmental immunity in the matter.
 

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