GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College’s Moot Court team finished first among NCAA Division III institutions and tied for fifth place overall at the 2024 Midwest National Moot Court Qualifying Tournament, held November 15–17 at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio.
Competing against 17 colleges and universities—including the University of Michigan, Loyola University of Chicago, and the University of Iowa—Thiel College was making its first appearance at a moot court competition and finished tied for with Saginaw Valley State University and Patrick Henry College.
In D-III, Thiel College secured a first-place finish, outperforming Loras College (Iowa), Oberlin College, and Ohio Wesleyan University.
In the tournament’s opening round, the team of Anna Kavulla ’27 and Brooke Griffith ’26 earned a hard-fought victory over the University of Michigan, while Rex Dugan ’27 and Grant Becker ’27 secured a decisive win against the University of Iowa. By the final standings, Kavulla and Griffith placed ninth, and Dugan and Becker ranked 17th among the 32 competing teams.
Alivia Fallon ’28 earned a perfect score of 400 points in courtroom advocacy/litigation and finished 13th in the Outstanding Orator Contest.
The team was guided by Visiting Professor of Political Science Eric Matthews, Ph.D. and Adjunct Professor of Political Science Ashleigh Musick, J.D.
The competition offered students valuable opportunities to build critical skills and explore careers in law, public policy, and advocacy.
“Representing Thiel College in the AMCA Midwest Regional Tournament was an invaluable opportunity. The rigorous process of case briefing, argument development, and practice sessions significantly enhanced my litigation, oral advocacy, and critical thinking abilities,” Kavulla said. “The support from exceptional faculty and the Thiel community has equipped me with the skills to succeed in and out of the classroom.”
“The tournament challenged my public speaking abilities and pushed me out of my comfort zone. It helped me improve my research and argument skills while giving me a better understanding of court proceedings,” Griffith said. “My time at Thiel, especially in the Dietrich Honors Program, prepared me to organize my thoughts and speak confidently. This experience has made me even more excited about a career in law.”
“This weekend was both challenging and rewarding,” Dugan said. “It gave me invaluable experience in the legal field and honed my ability to analyze issues critically, communicate persuasively, and think on my feet.”
“I want to especially thank Dr. Matthews, Professor Musick, and everyone at the school for their support,” Becker said. “Considering how much success we had in our first year, I am really excited about what we can accomplish in the future.”
About Moot Court at Thiel College
Participation in Moot Court at Thiel College underscores the institution’s dedication to providing students with interdisciplinary experiences and mentorship that prepare them for careers in law, political science, and public policy. With support from faculty, Thiel’s Moot Court program emphasizes critical thinking, oral advocacy, and professionalism—key skills for success in the legal field.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.