After several years away, the Students for Public Interest Law (SPIL) Auction made a triumphant return to Catholic Law, reaffirming its role as a cornerstone of the school’s tradition. For more than thirty years, this celebrated event has united the campus community to raise essential funds supporting students in unpaid summer public service internships. The evening began with a vibrant reception in the Law School Atrium, followed by the main event in the Auditorium. SPIL President Ashleigh Wilson welcomed attendees, underscoring the importance of summer stipends in enabling students to take on meaningful public interest work that, while unpaid, provides invaluable professional and personal experiences.
The night proved to be a tremendous success, driven by the remarkable generosity of faculty, staff, and administration who contributed nearly 20 unique experiences. Professor Mary Graw, returning as the engaging auctioneer, inspired spirited bidding for an array of creative offerings—from pickleball matches with deans to peaceful escapes in the Shenandoah Valley. Reviving this longstanding tradition brought the entire Catholic Law community together around a shared mission of public service.
Ashleigh Wilson expressed her gratitude, sharing: “On behalf of SPIL, I want to thank everyone who makes Catholic Law a place where students are encouraged to pursue experiences and careers in public interest to make a difference in their communities. Thank you to our dedicated staff and faculty who donated nearly 20 experiences for auction. Thank you to our students who showed up to support their peers as they pursue experiences in the public interest. Thank you to Dean Gemma Forest and Mariah McGuiness in the Student Life and Advancement Offices for all of their support in the logistics of bringing back this event. And a very enthusiastic thank you to Professor Graw, an unwavering supporter of public interest work, for being our fabulous auctioneer and helping make the night a success."
Thanks to the generosity of the community, the auction succeeded in raising enough funds to provide two additional SPIL summer stipends—expanding opportunities for students to gain valuable public interest experience and make a lasting impact beyond the classroom.
Click here to support SPIL summer stipends and learn how they help in the recording below.