This week at Nashville School of Law, 3L Scott Vincenti was awarded the inaugural Bill Koch Harry Phillips American Inn of Court (AIC) Scholarship.
The scholarship, years in the making, honors NSL Dean William C. Koch, Jr.’s three decades of service as President of the Harry Phillips American Inn of Court in Nashville.
“I am grateful for the many contributions that funded this scholarship, and I am delighted that Scott Vincenti is its first recipient,” said Koch.
The AIC brings together lawyers, judges, and law students committed to professional excellence. Its regular meetings foster relationships, mentorship, discussion of important legal and professionalism issues, and promote integrity, ethics, and civility.
Koch served as the Harry Phillips AIC president from its inception in 1990 through 2023 and was president of the American Inn of Court from 2018 through 2020. In the Fall of 2023, the AIC presented him with the prestigious A. Sherman Christensen award, a recognition that is bestowed upon a member who has provided exceptional leadership.
The current Harry Phillips AIC President and NSL Professor of Sales and Secured Transactions Chancellor Anne Martin, and fellow Harry Phillips member and NSL Professor of Business Associations Matt Sweeney initiated the effort to create this scholarship.
“It is extraordinary for someone to dedicate 30 years to doing something and to be fresh, and interesting and committed for that kind of time. As AIC President, Bill was as active and energetic and excited about the Inn and everything it was and everything it could be for that entire time, he never waned,” said Sweeney. “So, we felt this scholarship, which will benefit NSL students, was a special way to recognize him for that commitment.”
The first recipient of this scholarship, Scott Vincenti, is a third-year NSL student who recently stepped into a new job. He has a superb law school academic record and is highly regarded by the faculty and his fellow classmates. He and his wife are also excitedly preparing to welcome their first child.
“My initial reaction was excitement and appreciation for the school’s support. After learning that the scholarship was created to recognize and honor Dean Koch’s decades of service to the Tennessee legal community, those feelings shifted to a real sense of humility,” said Vincenti. “To be the first student recognized by this award in connection with Dean Koch’s legacy is an incredible honor and motivates me even more to live up to the standards this scholarship represents.”
Each year, the scholarship will be awarded to a full-time third or fourth-year student who has worked hard to stay in good academic standing, ranks in the top 20% of the class, and shares a statement of financial need.
