News Archive
Weston Nicholson Named to IUPUI's Elite 50, Selected for Plater Medallion
03/26/2020
IU McKinney 3L Weston Nicholson has been named to IUPUI’s Elite 50 class for 2020, and was selected for the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion.
Nicholson is a joint-degree Doctor of Jurisprudence-Master of Public Affairs student, who will work at a metropolitan Indianapolis law firm after completing his education. He began in the MPA program at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and had no intention of applying to law school. A year into that degree, he changed his mind about the law.
“I realized that I could use the degree in myriad beneficial ways,” Nicholson said.
Originally from Cloverdale, Indiana, Nicholson joined the Marines after high school, and lived in California and Michigan before settling in Indianapolis. He received an associate’s degree in general studies at Ivy Tech Community College, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, where he majored in political science. Eventually, he hopes to make a run for a political or judicial office.
Nicholson says his favorite thing about his studies at IU McKinney is the way it has changed his thinking.
“Whether it was plain ol’ age or law school, I have become more humble in my opinions and seem to have a more open mind,” Nicholson said. “I attribute this to the case ‘analysis’ instruction in my 1L and 2L years.”
The Elite 50 program honors graduate and professional students at IUPUI, and is modeled after the university’s Top 100 Outstanding Students honors program. The program’s purpose is to recognize and reward achievement outside the classroom among the graduate and professional student population. The Elite 50 represent the top one-half of 1 percent of the graduate and professional student body at IUPUI. Since awards for academic accomplishments already exist, the Elite 50 mainly focuses on achievements outside of the classroom.
The Plater Medallion honors graduating IUPUI students for their commitment to the community through volunteer service at a non-profit agency, participation in service learning courses, voluntary service abroad or involvement with a faculty member on a community-based research project. Nicholson received the honor for his work with the Center for Service & Learning at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
