As Veterans Day approaches, Miami Law recognizes and honors the brave men and women who have served our country.
Two Miami Law 1L students exemplify a commitment to excellence: United States Army Captains Marisa Ewing and Jeffrey Larosa.
Ewing, a 26-year-old from Agawam, Massachusetts, attended Boston University and was stationed at Fort Bragg/Liberty, North Carolina, following graduation.
She spent the last four years serving in North Carolina as a human resource professional, as the principal advisor on all human resources functions such as unit administration, personnel accountability, evaluations, awards, promotions, and casualty operations in both garrison and deployed environments.
As a soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division, she also served as a part of the Immediate Response Force. This means that she would deploy with her unit upon activation to facilitate worldwide immediate response deployment missions.
"On New Year’s Eve of 2019, my first IRF activation, I deployed in response to an attack by pro-Iranian militia on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq," she said. "On the second deployment, I managed the movement and accountability of 4,300 personnel supporting the evacuation of Kabul, Afghanistan, and relocating thousands of refugees prior to the August 31, 2021, deadline."
Ewing's parents met while serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. "They encouraged me to apply for an ROTC scholarship and ultimately, earn my commission as an active-duty officer," she said.
Her family members served or are currently serving in the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines. Military service has been a long-standing tradition across both sides of her family.
"I am passionate about helping others and had always hoped to serve in a capacity larger than myself. The Army afforded me the opportunity to continue a family legacy and chase my passion for service," she said. "While I loved my job as an HR Professional in the Army, I wanted to pursue further education and continue to serve in a greater capacity. Through the Army's Funded Legal Education Program, I am fortunate to be able to work toward my law degree while remaining on active duty. Following completion of law school, I will return to the Army to serve as a Judge Advocate General officer."
Larosa, a 27-year-old from Salem, New Hampshire, followed in his grandfather's footsteps into the Army. After one semester of ROTC at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, he knew it was his rightful path. After officer training, he joined the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York, as a Forward Support Officer and a Platoon Leader and deployed to Qatar and Iraq.
Upon his return, he completed the Captains Career Course and was selected for the Funded Legal Education Program. He was accepted at Miami Law and has his eye on serving in the Judge Advocate Corps after passing the bar.
"I want to serve soldiers and the Army in a greater capacity and had a passion for the law," he said. "The Army JAG Corps is a fantastic way to be a leader, serve soldiers, and do something I am passionate about."
Veterans’ events and organizations
The School of Law is hosting a veterans appreciation luncheon Monday, November 13, 2023, with Noel Pace, J.D. '15, corporate counsel for the Earlens Corporation and a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Law student organizations include the Veteran Law Students Society, which is hosting "Waypoint Meeting: Finish Point," Thursday, November 30, 2023, to celebrate the Veterans' finishing their first semester of Law School while advising on how to outline and prepare for finals.
The Military and National Security Law Society's goal is to help students involved in the military, interested in the military, and veterans.
New resource center
Along with the holiday's traditional ceremonies and parades, this year also marks the opening of a new center for veterans at the University of Miami, designed to provide resources and support for those who have served, under the direction of Jon Baldessari.
Since its inception, the University of Miami and the School of Law have created programs and organizations for veteran students, ensuring the tools and community are in place for veterans to succeed in their academic careers.
"Miami Law provides great opportunities to students that are veterans," said Garrett W. Graham, a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, president of MNSLS, a third-year law student, and graduate assistant at the center.
"There are many resources available to veterans from mental health counseling to career networking events. Veterans at Miami Law are never alone in their endeavors. There will always be a steadfast community that veterans can rely on for support to further their success. The work veterans complete at Miami Law will undoubtedly benefit their communities in the future, because a veteran's service does not end after moving on from the military," Graham said.
Read more about Military & Veterans Resources at Miami Law
