We
are a small law school, but we are a big family.
Nearly a thousand family members, friends,
faculty, and 
students filled
Centennial Hall on Saturday evening as we honored
this year's graduating class.
Outgoing
LCA President Brad Vynalek welcomed graduates to
the alumni ranks, along with videotaped congratulations
from the 2014 LCA Award honorees.
It
is a proud moment to celebrate the hard work and
dedication of these students. The class included
144 JDs (including our Advanced JD grads), 16
LLMs, 4 SJDs, and the first class of 5 MLS
students.
Friends
and family came from around the country, and
around the world, including family members from
China and New Zealand, and a professor from the
National University of Mongolia.
3Ls
Matt Randle and Robson Hauser gave
commencement talks that were engaging, meaningful,
and funny.
Matt,
an Army veteran, shared with his colleagues, "I
come to you all today asking, that no matter what
field or practice you find yourself in, you become
that torch bearer, the pathfinder, the person who
lights the way for all those who come behind
you."
Robson
noted, "As this is our last time gathered
together, I think it's important to talk about
what we've done, and where we go from here.
Because no matter who you are: first in the class
or last in the class; if you attended all of your
classes or none of them, law school has changed
us. And it's changed us for the better."
Judge
Andrew Hurwitz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Ninth Circuit gave a commencement address
filled with wit and wisdom--and frequent
references to music and musicians that had the
faculty smiling with memories and the graduates
just smiling. Judge Hurwitz said:
"But
whether or not your post-graduation plans are
clear at this time, don't be afraid to take the
path less trodden and appreciate the value of your
degree---it's not just powerful, it's
portable."
As
a faculty we appreciate the great privilege of
seeing these students grow and learn throughout
their time here at Arizona Law. And we have
learned from them. Now our friendship takes a
turn in the river, and as we come around this
bend, our relationship will broaden as the
graduates become lawyers, alumni, guest speakers,
and student mentors-our colleagues.
Arizona
Law is a lifetime community. The classes may have
ended, but there is a place for alumni every day
in the life of the College.
Friday
evening we had a celebration for graduates and
their families with the gentle music of guitarist
Dr. Eduardo Minozzi-Costa in the background.
Earlier on Friday we recognized the achievements
of members of the graduating class who received
awards made possible by the generous support of
alumni, firms, and friends of the Law College.
And a new
tradition emerged this year at Arizona Law, the 3L
Graduation 
Party. Hosted by
the 2Ls through the Student Bar Association and by
the Recent Grad alumni group here in Pima County,
this graduation celebration offered a casual
environment for 3Ls to spend one last evening
together before the pomp and circumstance.
