Ricardo Castillo with classmate, Hailey Prophyl (left).
Excellence in action
BA in Law graduate wins SUNY Chancellor’s Award
Of the 20,000-plus undergraduates studying at the University at Buffalo, just 15 have been recognized this year by the State University of New York as recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. One of those 15 is a standout student in UB School of Law’s BA in Law program.
Ricardo Castillo '25 (BA)
Ricardo Castillo ’25, a graduating senior, accepted his award—in the form of a medal—at UB's Celebration of Academic Excellence held on April 30th. The SUNY award, created in 1997, recognizes high-achieving students who also excel in such areas as academics, leadership, campus involvement and community service.
Castillo, who’s from Farmingdale on Long Island, has built an impressive resume in his four years on UB’s North Campus. A member of UB’s Honors College, an intensive community of highly motivated students, he has been an active part of Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity; worked as a teaching assistant for five courses and as a resident assistant; and just finished a year as editor in chief of the Spectrum, UB’s student newspaper. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa last year.
“I think I’ve done a lot at the university,” Castillo says. “When I came onto campus, I wanted to make friends and I wanted to do things that would challenge me.”
He has known for years that law is where he wants to be, and chose the undergraduate law program because he knew that “a lot of the professors who teach those classes are also teachers in the JD program. So, it wasn’t a hard choice.”
As a first-generation college student, it also helped to assure him that he was on the right path when he took part in the law school’s Discover Law Undergraduate Scholars Program in the summer of 2023. The intensive four-week program invites students from historically underrepresented groups into a whirl of lectures, simulations and networking events, giving them a taste of law school life and equipping them with the tools they’ll need to succeed. After participating in the Program’s moot court exercise, Castillo was honored for his oral advocacy skills.
“Ricardo exemplifies leadership with a rare blend of intelligence, confidence and thoughtfulness,” says Kristen Kelly, director of the program. “During his time in Discover Law, it became clear that his potential knows no bounds—a fact reflected in his continued success. He is steadfast in his commitment and unwavering in his work ethic, qualities that distinguish him as a truly exceptional individual.”
“The Program was a great experience, and it shows you what law school is like,” Castillo says. “UB Law did a great job connecting us with current law students and lawyers from around the area who are UB alums. We visited law firms and courtrooms, and we also got a taste of what law school classes are like. Just going out and seeing the legal field at work, and understanding what law school is about, it was amazing. You develop a special bond with your cohort members, and the support system in the program was amazing as well.”
After Commencement, Castillo is taking a breather of sorts: a gap year that he’ll spend working in the legal field to gain experience (he hopes to stay in Western New York and is waiting for the right opportunity to present itself). He also plans to take the LSAT and apply to law schools. UB Law, he says, is at the top of his list.