Alex Aidaghese, Current LLM Student, is Selected as 2011 Winner of the AIPN Scholarship; Will Travel to San Antonio for AIPN Spring Conference

Alex Aidaghese, a University of Denver Sturm College of Law student, has won a highly sought after scholarship from the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators to attend the group's 2011 Spring Conference in San Antonio.

Mr. Aidaghese obtained his Bachelor of Law from Edo State University in Nigeria and is currently pursuing an LLM in Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy. Mr. Aidaghese is also one of the spring 2011 winners of the prestigious Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarship. Mr. Aidaghese has worked for the Office of the Edo State Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources as well as several New Jersey and New York law firms.

In his application to the AIPN scholarship, Mr. Aidaghese noted that, “An update on recent development in West Africa deep-water oil and gas exploration is one of the major papers at the conference. Winning the scholarship would provide me a huge opportunity to have firsthand knowledge of the latest developments in the region. I would be able to meet, network and interact with the major players in the petroleum industry who are presently engaged in exploration activities in Sub Sahara Africa, as well as those who might be willing to invest in the region, but need further education with respect to existing investment climate."

Lucy Daberkow, Associate Administrative Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Graduate Programs, said, “Alex is an accomplished attorney who is a true asset to our LLM program. His commitment to energy issues in Africa and his choice of course work in his LLM program made him the ideal candidate for this AIPN scholarship opportunity.”

Editor's note: In the above picture, Don Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy program is on the left, Mr. Aidaghese is in the middle, and Ms. Daberkow is on the right.

December LLM and MRLS Graduates: Celebrations and Official Recognition

Without question, one of the most satisfying times of the academic year is when graduating students are recognized and their accomplishments celebrated.

December 2010 was certainly no different for the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program. Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Director for the ENRL Graduate Program and I, were delighted to wish all of our graduates well and extend to them best wishes as they begin their professional futures.

These pictures represent two of the key events during December. The first picture depicts the scene at the December graduation ceremony. The picture illustrates the diversity of our program as well as the fact that our graduates are a very impressive group! Beginning on the far left is Alex Aidaghese, originally from Nigeria and currently an LLM student; me; Juliet Briggs, LLM graduate from Nigeria; Payal Sathe, LLM graduate from India; Lucy; Eva Kuoni, LLM graduate originally from Mexico who now lives and works in Denver; Kris Ellis, MRLS graduate from the U.S.; Tonye Oki, 2005 graduate who is originally from Nigeria but now lives and works in Denver and teaches "Negotiating Natural Resources Law Agreements," in the ENRL program. The two very young ladies in front -- many of you will recognize them right away -- are Emma (left) and Amelie (right) Daberkow from the classes of 2025 and 2027 respectively.

One of the aspects of the graduation ceremony that Lucy and I very much enjoy is meeting the families of our graduates. Everyone at the ceremony -- the proud parents, spouses, children, significant others, friends -- each enjoys the event and has their own personal pride in the graduate they have come (many times long distances) to recognize. Lucy and I salute all of these individuals as well since they have often made significant sacrifices and have provided enormous encouragement along the way to support their graduate.

The second picture was taken after a graduation lunch where Lucy and I celebrated with three of our graduates, Ms. Briggs next to me, Ms. Sathe, Lucy, and Ms. Kuoni on the far right-hand side of the picture.

Some of the graduates were not able to attend either event, but we also wish them well.

We experience these occasions with mixed emotions. On one hand, it is difficult to realize that we may not see these graduates again for a very long time. But on the other hand, it is exciting and satisfying to watch them go forth and put to use what they have learned.

In biding these students goodbye and good luck, Lucy and I are reminded of the words of the famous British historian Edward Gibbon: "The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators."

Don C. Smith
Director
Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program

Four University of Denver Law Students Win Prestigious Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarships

Four University of Denver Sturm College of Law students in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) program have earned prestigious scholarships from the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF).

The scholarships, which were announced today, are awarded to students enrolled at one of the 30 laws schools affiliated with the RMMLF. The award winners demonstrate, among other things, "a commitment to the study of natural resources law." The RMMLF, which is one of the leading practitioner-oriented organizations of its kind in the world, includes many of the world's preeminent oil and gas and mining attorneys.

The recipients of the Spring 2011 RMMLF Scholarships are:

• Raven Adams, a JD student who expects to graduate in May 2012.
• Alex Aidaghese, an LLM student originally from Nigeria who expects to graduate in May 2011.
• Luis Antonio La Rosa Airaldi, an LLM student from Peru who expects to graduate in May 2011.
• Rocio Urbina-Linares, an LLM student from Peru who expects to graduate in May 2011.

Don C. Smith, Director of the ENRL program, said, "To win a Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation scholarship is one of the top honors that any student studying in the field of natural resources can aspire to. Consequently, we are extremely proud of each of these students not only for what he or she has accomplished so far, but also for what they will likely contribute to the natural resources field in the future. Our winning students reflect the depth and diversity of DU's ENRL program, with one of the winners from the U.S. and the other three orignially from Nigeria and Peru."

Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Director of the ENRL graduate programs said, "Recruiting the best students for our program is one of our top priorities. Clearly, the RMMLF recognizes their potential in future careers as natural resources practitioners."

For many past recipients, the award of a RMMLF scholarship is one of the highlights of their academic career. It is worth noting that 24 scholarships in total were given to students applying from the 30 law schools that are affiliated with the Foundation. Four of the 24 were awarded to Sturm College of Law students.