College Columns December 2024 | Page 11

from career stuff to wineries near my home in Texas that I need to visit .
My experiences with great people didn ’ t stop there . The main award ceremony was held at the Smithsonian ( I snuck off for a few minutes before the ceremony formally began and saw the original painting of George Washington standing in his office grasping the hilt of his sword — you know the one ). The ceremony was beautiful , and hearing about the careers of those receiving awards inspired me to think bigger about what I could do in my career . Afterwards , the law students gathered around some tables where everyone was mingling , and we picked up where we left off the night before . However , the Fifth Circuit Fellows — the people directly responsible for my being there — were having a dinner at 7 p . m . following the ceremony , which ended around 6 . The restaurant was only a tenminute walk , so I figured I would talk with the other students for 30 minutes and walk over . The conversation must have caused a time warp , because I looked at my watch 30 minutes later and it was 7 ! I rushed over to the restaurant mightily embarrassed . Of course , when I got there everyone was happy to see me . I was even saved a seat right next to Charlie Beckham — the President of the College . Charlie had me cracking up with some great stories from practice , and we stay in touch to this day 1 . I mingled with too many great people at that dinner to list everyone , but what I can say is that I was blown away by each person ’ s kindness and genuine interest in getting to know me .
Being selected as a distinguished law student was an absolutely incredible experience . I am forever grateful to the College making this possible , and especially the Fellows from the Fifth Circuit that selected me for this honor . I hope to make it back to the College as a Fellow someday and help make this experience possible for a student from the next generation . Thank you all .
1
Adam has accepted a job offer with Haynes and Boone to come work with Charlie Beckham in the Fall of 2025 .
11