“[It was] wonderful to meet with our country’s next generation of leaders who are part of the McConnell Scholars Program,” Esper said. “Their intelligence and acumen will be counted on to answer our nation’s call.”

McConnell noted that Esper joins a long list of distinguished speakers to meet with McConnell Scholars. The list includes four secretaries of defense, two sitting U.S. presidents, two CIA directors, Supreme Court justices, and dozens of congressional leaders and ambassadors.

“It’s always important to put ambitious young students in front of accomplished leaders who are currently serving our nation,” said McConnell Center Director Gary Gregg. “Secretary Esper’s diverse career — from serving in the infantry to business and now leading at the highest levels of civilian government — offers great leadership lessons. It was clear to us why he has been called upon to lead the Department of Defense, and we are grateful for his generous insights and time to our students.”

Eric Bush, a senior McConnell Scholar at UofL, presented Esper with a commemorative Louisville Slugger bat to mark his visit.

“I appreciated Secretary Esper’s timely insights on the challenges and opportunities facing our nation, but also his willingness to pass on lessons from his decades of military, civilian, and government leadership,” Bush said.

Esper retired from the U.S. Army in 2007 after spending 10 years on active duty and 11 years in the National Guard and Army reserve. He served as chief of staff at the Heritage Foundation think tank, followed by policy and adviser roles for Senator Chuck Hagel and former Senate Majority Bill First. He also served as vice president for government relations at the Raytheon Company before becoming Secretary of the Army in 2017.

Esper became the 27th secretary of defense in July following the resignation of Jim Mattis.

“I am thrilled to finally have a bid for national moot court competition, since this is my fourth and final regional competition,” Mayes said. “But if you consider the fact that we have two teams heading to nationals, it really proves that hard work does pay off and this program works.”

Thirty-eight teams competed in the Dec. 1-2 regional event held at Saginaw Valley State University, with the top seven teams advancing to the national finals slated for Jan. 19-20 at the University of North Texas at Dallas.

Three UofL students placed in the top 20 in the oral arguments category, with Mayes finishing 16th, Noble finishing 17th and Kolyaskina placing 19th out of 76 competitors.

“Our moot court coaching staff knows exactly how to push us to solidify our arguments and oratory skills,” Mayes said. “I can personally say this program has facilitated more growth for me than any class or program I have ever been a part of — bar none.”

Team Kolyaskina/Noble said they hope to improve on their national moot court appearance last year. “The experience of arguing in front of federal judges and lawyers as an undergraduate was invaluable last year, and it made us noticeably better debaters,” Kolyaskina said. “I’m excited to get the chance to learn from other teams and put all of our hours of practice to use.”

The only program of its kind in Kentucky, the Center’s moot court team was among the top 20 in the nation in 2016 and received an honorable mention for their 2017 performance at regionals. The rankings are granted by the .

Participation on the team is a large undertaking, as students spend the semester researching, writing and practicing their oral arguments, in addition to their normal coursework and extracurricular activities. Each competition team is made up of two Scholars who handle half of the argument. 

This year’s case considers issues related to the right against self-incrimination protected by the fifth amendment and the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the eighth amendment.

Since 2008, the team has been coached by , a McConnell Scholar alumnus (’01).  (’11) serves as an assistant coach. UofL history and law professor Thomas Mackey, PhD, also advises the team.

During his March 22 visit, Thapar discussed his judicial decision-making process, how his chambers operate and the importance of developing meaningful mentorships with a group of . He also spoke to a University of Louisville political leadership course about lessons from his career and how the federal court system and Article III institutions have developed to serve justice and the American people.

“As a future law student, hearing from Judge Thapar directly about his legal career and judicial philosophy was an invaluable professional and intellectual opportunity,” said Jacob Abrahamson, a senior McConnell Scholar who will be attending the University of Pennsylvania Law School in the fall.

Sidney Cobb, a sophomore McConnell Scholar, called the two sessions “energizing” and said she is now developing a plan on how to get into the best law school and earn the best clerkship possible based on Thapar’s advice.

“What a phenomenal opportunity for young students thinking about the Constitution and about potential careers in law and law enforcement,” said Dr. Gary Gregg, director of the McConnell Center. “Judge Thapar is an impressive legal mind and generous teacher. His seminars left us all with a better understanding of the judiciary and energized our students interested in serving in the legal field.”

Gregg invited Thapar to the center as part of its local leader series, which connects McConnell Scholars with city and state leaders.

President George W. Bush nominated Thapar, the first Article III judge of South Asian descent, to the federal bench on May 24, 2007, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him by unanimous consent Dec. 13, 2007. Prior to his confirmation, Thapar served as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Thapar, of Covington, previously worked for Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C., and has taught at the University of Virginia School of Law, Vanderbilt Law School and Northern Kentucky University’s Chase College of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his law degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Made up exclusively of McConnell Scholars, the McConnell Center’s moot court team represents the University of Louisville and is the only undergraduate program in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The team has enjoyed success in regional and national tournaments for nearly 10 years, boasting four “Sweet Sixteen” finishes since 2009 and three “Round of 32” finishes since 2007.

In addition to team successes, Arsh Haque (’15) placed first in the 2014 “Top Orator” individual competition. He also finished 14th overall in 2015, and Kirk Laughlin (’10) finished 15th overall in 2009.

These achievements factored into the 20th place ranking, based on metrics from the ACMA.

Since 2008, the team has been coached by , a McConnell Scholar alumnus (’01). Participation on the team is a large undertaking, as students typically spend a semester researching, writing and practicing their oral arguments, in addition to their normal coursework and extracurricular activities. Each competition team is made up of two scholars who handle half of the argument.

In recent years, the team has also served as an opportunity for McConnell Scholar alumni to mentor and help current students interested in legal topics.  Sean Williamson (’11) serves as an assistant coach with Laughlin. Alumni Ben Weyman (’13), Eric Kiser (’12), Meagan Floyd (’13) and Mike Adams (’98) help with judging and offering advice.

This year’s case deals with voting rights issues, and the team is scheduled to compete on December 3 in the Great Lakes Regional at Saginaw Valley State University. 

McConnell Scholars and alumni, along with more than 300 students from UofL, Bellarmine University and local high schools, will hear the senior officers discuss how they view the military’s role to help solve global problems of diplomacy.

During their two-day visit, members of the Eisenhower Series will also speak with UofL’s top leadership about UofL military initiatives, as well as with UofL Army and Air Force ROTC cadets.

Each Eisenhower Series member serves as the team’s specialist on specific national public policy issues including climate change, cyber security, disaster response, defense support to civil authority, childhood obesity and other topical issues.

UofL is among 10 universities nationwide to participate in this U.S. Army War College outreach program. Established in 1969, the series encourages dialogue on national security and public policy issues between its students and the public. War College students are selected to take part based on their experience, interest and knowledge of national public policy issues.

The U.S. Army War College, located in Carlisle Barracks, Pa., represents the highest level of education offered by the military services and is designed to equip select senior officers and civilians with the competencies required of strategic leaders of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Though the members will address government policies, the views they express are their own, based on personal experience, research and academic study.