Issue 9 • Vol. 101
Loyola University New Orleans • Since 1923
Oct. 20, 2023
Loyola Law World's youngest CPA joins Loyola Law professor wins "Genius Grant" By Natalia Silva
nssilva@my.loyno.edu
By Kloe Witt kgwitt@my.loyno.edu
Loyola’s Dr. Norman C. Francis Distinguished Professor of Law Andrea Armstrong has been named a 2023 MacArthur Fellow and received the “Genius Grant” for her creation of the Incarceration Transparency Project. According to the MacArthur Fellow website, this award is given to “talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction.” Genius grant recipients receive $800,000 in a five-year period as an “investment in their potential.” Recipients are nominated anonymously by leaders in their field and selected by anonymous judges based on their achievements and peer evaluations. Armstrong’s focus is on state and federal law governing incarceration and detention policies. Armstrong’s Incarceration Transparency Project focuses on collecting and analyzing deaths of people behind bars in Louisiana. This data is then put on a website created by Armstrong, law professor Judson Mitchell, and Loyola law students for public use.
See ARMSTRONG, page 4
James ‘Jimmy’ Chilimigras is 15 years old, a Loyola Law student, and the youngest person to pass the Certified Public Accounting exam in the world. After scoring 31 on the ACT at the age of 12, he said he had too big of a passion not to continue his studies. He said he always knew he wanted to be a lawyer because of his drive to help people. Before attending Loyola Law School, Chilimigras got his online undergrad degree at Western Governors University (WGU) during the pandemic. According to Chilimigras, he chose Loyola because it’s close to home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. “I think the community is great, and there are so many wonderful people here,” Chilimigras said. “It’s just a great place to be.” Chilimigras said he is blessed to be surrounded by people who support and guide him through every step of the process because he says “law school at 15 is not your normal.” Even since high school, his parents have curtailed the curriculum to fit his needs. Chimiligras moved at his own pace with his studies, and it usually only took him a single reading of the required textbook to pass the final exam. “What’s the point in doing all
the build up if you’re not gonna do something with it?” Chilimigras said. He is currently specializing in tax law following his undergraduate studies in accounting. He said he figured he’s going to be doing taxes for the rest of his life, so he might as well know how. Chimiligras implemented his studies in the American Association of Retired Persons by volunteering and helping the elderly with their tax prep in the local library. “I love making a local impact,” Chilimigras said. According to Chimiligras , he knows he hasn’t had a normal life, but he maintains balance through his hobbies. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and playing board games with friends. “I try to relax and go to the beach with my friends,” Chilimigras said. In addition to the support from his friends and family, Chilimigras said he appreciates the continued support of his mentors. “I still keep in touch with my undergrad program mentor to ask for guidance and advice every now and then,” Chilimigras said. His advice to young students is to go at their own pace and make the most of their academic resources. “When things are catered to you, your academic success exceeds your expectations,” Chilimigras said.
Jimmy is the youngest person to pass the Certified Public Accounting exam in the world.
Loyola law student Jimmy Chilimigras is the youngest person to pass the Certified Public Accounting exam in the world. Anna Hummel/The Maroon
Orleans Parish suffers worst voter turnout in decades 27% of Orleans Parish casts ballots in Oct. 14 state election
Sophia Maxim/The Maroon
See p. 5