Mercer Law School Presents George Waldo Woodruff Award to Watkinsville's Stephen Floyd

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Mercer Law Dean Gary Simson, left, presents Stephen M. Floyd with the George Waldo Woodruff Award at the School's commencement in May.

MACON, GA (06/14/2011)(readMedia)-- Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law honored Stephen Michael Floyd, of Watkinsville, as its 2011 recipient of the George Waldo Woodruff Award of Excellence given to the graduate having the highest cumulative academic average. Floyd received the award at the School's commencement on May 14. He is also the first student to graduate from the School with the distinction of summa cum laude since 2002.

Floyd is the son of Mike and Susan Floyd of Watkinsville and is married to Holly Hill Floyd of Watkinsville. He attended the University of Georgia where he graduated summa cum laude with the distinction of highest honors, earning a degree in political science and a minor in history.

Following his graduation from UGA, Floyd accepted the Walter F. George Public Foundation Scholarship and enrolled at Mercer Law School. While at Mercer, he completed a judicial internship with Chief Judge Ashley Royal of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Floyd was also a member of the Mercer Law Review, where he served on the editorial board as the Georgia survey editor. Floyd also participated in Mercer's Academic Mentoring Program, receiving the Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Legal Writing.

Floyd is a member of the Brainerd Currie Honor Society, which recognizes third-year students who, during their law school careers, have distinguished themselves by maintaining superior scholastic records and making significant contributions in such areas such as research and writing, law review, and moot court. The society was organized in 1972 and is named for the late Professor Brainerd Currie, one of the Law School's most distinguished alumni and a recognized leader in legal education.

Floyd has also received the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction's Excellence for the Future Award in recognition of having the highest grade in his individual classes each semester.

Following his completion of the bar exam, Floyd will begin his practice of law with the Atlanta office of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP.

About the George Waldo Woodruff Award of Excellence

The George Waldo Woodruff Award of Excellence is given to the graduate having the highest cumulative academic average. The award honors George Waldo Woodruff, distinguished businessman, proponent of education, and friend of the Walter F. George School of Law.

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About the Mercer Law School

Founded in 1873, the Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the United States and the first one in the state of Georgia accredited by the American Bar Association. Mercer Law School's educational philosophy is based on a broadly shared commitment to prepare students for the high-quality practice of law in a day-to-day learning environment that is both strongly supportive and consistently professional. Its innovative Woodruff Curriculum – which focuses on ethics and practical skills amid small class sizes – earned the Gambrell Professionalism Award from the ABA for its "depth of excellence." With an enrollment of about 440 students, taught by some of the sharpest legal minds in the country, Mercer Law School has been listed among the nation's top law schools and is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs in legal writing, moot court, public interest, and professionalism and ethics. For more information about Mercer Law School, visit www.law.mercer.edu.

About Mercer University

Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University enrolls more than 8,200 students in 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies – on major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah and at four regional academic centers across the state. Mercer is affiliated with two teaching hospitals - Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah and the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and has educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta. The University operates an academic press and a performing arts center in Macon and an engineering research center in Warner Robins. Mercer is the only private university in Georgia to field an NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.