From the Nominator

If you’re a fan of true crime podcasts and shows, you may have heard of Allison Clayton. She has become a regular character in that genre. Clayton is an adjunct professor at Texas Tech and the director of Texas Tech’s Innocence Clinic, a program in the School of Law that fights for justice for those who have been wrongfully convicted. While Clayton’s work is reminiscent of a John Grisham novel and is certainly deserving of praise, we were interested in who she was as a person and what brought her to Texas Tech. Our motto is "From Here, It’s Possible™," but Texas Tech isn’t always the first place people associate with brilliant lawyers who fight against the system. What we found was a compelling story of a woman who, through her own set of challenging circumstances, developed a very particular skill set and a passion for fighting wrongs of the past. The result was a story of a passionate teacher, a committed group of students, and a woman who was not only making history, but helping right it, one case at a time. The community response was excellent, and we hope the impact will be felt for years to come.

From the Judges

Well-written piece that captures the essence of grit. We appreciated the thoughtful detailing, compelling storytelling, and well-chosen quotes.