Kristin Poole, J.D. ’16 Honored as a 2014 Anderson Scholar
Honoring Alvin P. Anderson On hand for the scholarship reception were, from left to right: Law School Dean Davison M. Douglas, Betsy Anderson, Kristin Poole J.D. '16, Ryan Polk '16, TowneBank President Brian K. Skinner, and Mason School of Business Dean Larry Pulley. Photo by David F. Morrill
Kristin Poole, J.D. ’16, was honored as one of TowneBank’s 2014 Alvin P. Anderson Scholars on Sept. 16. Poole received a $5,000 scholarship and an inscribed crystal vase at a reception held at the bank’s Monticello Avenue office in Williamsburg.
The scholarships were first awarded in 2010 to honor Alvin P. Anderson, who graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1970 and William & Mary Law School in 1972.
Anderson was a managing partner at Kaufman & Canoles, where he practiced law. In addition to serving others through his 36-year law career, Anderson contributed to his community in numerous ways. He was the director of both the Riverside Healthcare Association and Hampton Roads Academy, and he served on multiple TowneBank boards: Hampton Roads, Peninsula, and Williamsburg. Additionally, Anderson was the commissioner in chancery and the commissioner of accounts for the circuit courts of the City of Williamsburg and James City County.
In 1998, he received the William & Mary Alumni Medallion for his professional achievements and outstanding commitment to William & Mary. Anderson served his alma mater in many ways--as a member of the College’s Board of Visitors, as a trustee of the Law School Foundation, and as president of the Alumni Association.
At the reception on Sept. 16, the Regional President of TowneBank, Brian Skinner, acknowledged how Anderson always gave back to William & Mary and the community as a whole. Skinner discussed how the culture of TowneBank is also one of giving back to the community.
“We want to be able to continue his legacy of giving in these fine young people that we are going to recognize,” Skinner said.
In addition to Poole, Ryan Polk ’16, an undergraduate business major from Richmond, was honored as an Anderson Scholar.
“Kristin and Ryan are wonderful examples of the type of person that Alvin was--not only highly accomplished academically, but they have the personality and all of the things that go into making somebody really get going in the world,” said Anderson’s wife, Betsy Anderson.
Davison M. Douglas, Dean of William & Mary Law School, elaborated about Poole and her accomplishments. Originally from Maryland, Poole graduated with a perfect 4.0 from Auburn University in 2013. At Auburn, she was named the 2013 Outstanding Student in the College of Liberal Arts.
She is currently the Activities Chair for the Christian Legal Society and a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society. She has also been a student ambassador for the Office of Admissions and a 1L Representative for the Office of Career Services Student Advisory Board.
Most notably, she is a member of the William & Mary Law Review. Of her writing skills, Douglas said that “one of the most important skills a law student has is the ability to write very clearly, and Kristin has become an exceptional writer.”
Poole worked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nashville, Tenn., in the summer of 2014, and plans to work for Woods Rogers in Roanoke, Va., next summer.
“Kristin is very humble, she is very generous, she has a sense of service, and she really does remind so many of us who also knew Alvin of Alvin Anderson,” Douglas said.
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Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.