For the third time since 2006, the Florida State University College of Law’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) has been named National Chapter of the Year by the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA). As a 2011-2012 Regional Chapter of the Year for the Southern Region of NBLSA, Florida State competed for the national award against six other regional winners, including Harvard Law School, William & Mary Law School, Indiana University Mauer School of Law, University of Texas School of Law, University of South Carolina School of Law and UCLA School of Law. BLSA President Michael Williams accepted the award Saturday, March 10, at the NBLSA National Convention in Washington, D.C. 

The National Chapter of the Year award is given to a chapter that has made a difference in its community, and has improved the quality of its law school by enhancing social awareness and communal activism while representing NBLSA ideals. Chapters are evaluated on criteria including: community service events, voter rights programming, youth programming, college student programming, career development, social events and National Black Law Students Association participation.

The Florida State BLSA chapter held more than 30 events during the 2011-2012 academic year on topics ranging from election law to African-Americans in the legal profession. Chapter members also participated in community service activities, volunteering at the Second Harvest of the Big Bend, collecting food and clothing for local families and also collecting books for prisoners. 

“We are thrilled that our Black Law Students Association was again recognized as National Chapter of the Year,” said Dean Don Weidner. “Congratulations and thanks go to the entire BLSA board and especially president Michael Williams for bringing this honor home to Florida State.”