(Above: Dr. Kathy Cook and Lia Hartwell '09)

"It was one of those things I'll never forget," says Dr. Kathy Cook, instructor and internship coordinator for Legal Studies in the College of Health and Public Affairs (COHPA). "When a new student tells you they're going to graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA, you remember." That's exactly what Lianna "Lia" Hartwell told Dr. Cook when she arrived at UCF. Lia graduated in May of 2009 with a degree in Legal Studies, along with that perfect 4.0 GPA. So, when the New Jersey transplant won the First American Title Scholarship, no one was surprised.

Lia was drawn to UCF after a campus visit. "I felt really at home there," she said. "The staff and faculty were open and accepting. They didn't know me at all and really went out of their way to help me." Her time at UCF would take her through and prepare her for numerous successes.

In addition to the First American Title fund, Lia also received scholarships from COHPA and The Burnett Honors College. As a student in The Burnett Honors College, she wrote a thesis on the use of circumstantial evidence in convicting defendants in high-profile murder cases. Her thesis was particularly impressive to David Slaughter, assistant professor and legal studies program director. David was a member of her thesis review committee. "Lia's thesis was very well written and she gave an excellent presentation," he said. The way she compared some of the more sensational, historical cases with more current ones was extremely well done. We all had high expectations of her and she did not disappoint."

While keeping her 4.0 GPA intact, working numerous jobs, studying for the LSAT and commuting from St. Cloud, Lia found time to volunteer as a mentor at Harmony Middle School. She helped students in the international science fair. "The students had to pick an epidemic issue and evaluate it," Lia said. "I recruited two UCF professors to help. We chose to study gene-splicing in the prevention of HIV and AIDS. We studied a tribe in Africa that is immune to the virus. Our group was the only sixth-grade team allowed to enter the fair. The other teams were all from the eigth-grade. Our team didn't win, but they've already been asked to submit their work next year."

"Lia was a remarkable student," said Dr. Cook. "In addition to graduating with honors, she managed to work and study and get involved in the college, all while dealing with some difficult issues of her own. She excelled in just about everything she did and never used any personal problem as an excuse. In fact, I believe those personal challenges helped her focus on what was really important to her-an education."

Lia has gone on to pursue her law degree at Florida International University in Miami. She is focusing on criminal law. "My grandfather is retired from the Air Force so I've been interested in their JAG (Judge Advocate General) program for a long time." Each year, only 100-120 attorneys are selected as Air Force Judge Advocates through several different accession programs. The JAG program offers attorneys a rare opportunity to practice law and make a valuable and lasting contribution to our country. "I'd like to make it to the JAG Corps someday, but my ultimate goal is to return to UCF as a professor."

Those may seem like lofty goals, but judging by her early successes, there's no question she'll reach them.