SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW HOUSTON — Eric B. Williams II, a third-year student at South Texas College of Law Houston for whom law is his second career, was the only honoree from a Texas law school named a prestigious National Jurist Magazine 2022 Law Student of the Year. He is featured in the publication’s edition released March 9. “Individuals of Eric’s character, capability and accomplishment are rare,” said South Texas President and Dean Michael F. Barry. “He is well-deserving of this recognition.” Williams, in the top 1% of his class, is every professor’s dream student – not only because of what he accomplishes, but for the many ways he helps others succeed around him, both on campus and in the community. But five years ago, the first-generation college graduate faced two major setbacks in his professional and personal life. “In the midst of all the anger and sadness I experienced at that time, I developed a burning desire to rebuild my life,” Williams said. “I chose to use those feelings as a motivation to strive for something better, and the ‘better’ I found was South Texas College of Law Houston.” Today, Williams is a Presidential Fellow, honors student and the first Black male editor in chief of the South Texas Law Review with plans to graduate with his J.D. degree in May 2022.