OXFORD, Miss. — Three first-year law students who chose the University of
Mississippi School of Law because of its unique space and aeronautic law program
have been awarded scholarships through the National Remote Sensing, Air and
Space Law Center housed at the law school.
Surya G. Gunasekara, Paul Ordyna and Nicholas Welly will each receive the
equivalent of a year’s in-state tuition for their second year of law school, a
scholarship valued at approximately $9,500.
Gunasekara received an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado,
a school well known for producing astronauts. From there, he pursued a Master’s
in Natural Resource, Environmental Law and Policy from the University of Denver
Strum College of Law.
“While in Denver, I stumbled upon the center here at Ole Miss while
researching thesis topics,” he said. “I knew I wanted to continue my education
and finish a juris doctorate, and it seemed like I had finally found a place
where my passion for space and my abilities would meet.”
Though he is not sure what career path he plans to take, Gunasekara said he
would like to use his degree to work for NASA or to find a way to combine his
environmental law knowledge with aviation and aerospace law.
Ordyna, who received his bachelor’s in accountancy from Brigham Young
University, chose to study space law because it will provide him with an
exciting opportunity to be a part of an emerging industry.
“Presently, the technology exists to take each of us to places that were once
reserved for the imagination,” he said. “I hope that by studying space law at
the University of Mississippi, I will have an opportunity to land a job with a
reputable aerospace firm.”
Ordyna said he selected the UM law school because it “is the only place in
the nation that allows me to focus my studies by participating in the classes
dedicated to space and aviation law.”
Before entering UM, Welly spent seven years in the Air Force where he worked
with satellite operations, training and strategy.
“When my family and I decided it was time for a change, I knew I wanted to
continue my work in an arena related to aerospace,” he said. “I hoped the
National Center for Remote Sensing, Air and Space Law would provide practical
exposure to air and space law, and so far I haven’t been disappointed. I don’t
think any other institution would offer as much opportunity during the first
half of the first semester of law school as I’ve already had.”
Welly, who also holds a bachelor’s degree in geology and environmental
studies and a master’s in space operations, wants to gain exposure in both the
public and private sectors of the aerospace industry while in law school to
prepare him for a career in public or private legal practice, aerospace
management or lobbying.
Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz, director of the center, said the scholarship
applicants were required to submit a research proposal on a specific aerospace
law topic, and the three students were selected by a faculty committee based on
the strength of their proposals.
“Next year they will be researching the use of military satellites in
domestic homeland security investigations, insurance requirements for space
tourists and the use of remote sensing technologies in criminal law,” she said.
“I look forward to working with them.”
For more information on the Remote Sensing, Air and Space Law Center, visit
http://www.spacelaw.olemiss.edu.
For more information on the School of Law, visit