“I believe that gratitude is more than a feeling. It is an action. I hope to demonstrate my gratitude for J.L. Weigand’s generosity in the same manner as others have in this scholarship family.”
Jeffrey Pyle
University of Kansas
Weigand Scholar: 2011, 2012, 2013
Hometown:
Wichita, KS
Education:
B.A., History, Wichita State University, 2005
- Graduated magna cum laude
- Dean’s List
- Golden Key Honor Society
M.A., Communication, Wichita State University, 2010
J.D. Candidate, University of Kansas School of Law, 2013
- Kansas Law Review
- Moot Court Competition
- Phi Kappa Phi
- Order of the Coif
Employer:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
As an undergraduate student, Jeff was consistently on the Dean’s List and joined the Golden Key Honor Society. While earning his master’s degree in communication at Wichita State University, Jeff worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, teaching public speaking for two years. He also joined Lambda Pi Eta national communication honor society. Jeff focused his research on topics that appealed to his appetite, sense of humor, or sense of fair play.
During his first summer in law school, Jeff interned for the Honorable Eric F. Melgren in the U.S. District Court, District of Kansas. He worked as a clerk at Riling, Burkhead & Nitcher during law school, and spent his second summer working in the law offices of Michael J. Studtmann. Jeff was on law review, participated in moot court and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi. He also worked at the law school as a teaching assistant for two years, as a research assistant for Professor Stephen Ware, and worked at the legal aid clinic. Jeff was awarded the W. Ross Hutton award for best overall performance in Legal Aid Clinic.
Through 2016, Jeff was an associate at Martindell Swearer Shaffer Ridenour LLP in Hutchinson, Kansas where he gave several professional presentations to the Kansas Register of Deeds Association. He served on the boards of the Hutchinson Civitan Club and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson.
Jeff presently works for The Office of the General Counsel within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“The land, weather, and community in Kansas do much to remind me of my right size. Neighbors have taught me to be tolerant, respectful, and to believe you receive what you work for. If I have learned half of what they have shown, I hope I am also thought of as a neighbor.”