| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
JAMES E. ROGERS COLLEGE OF LAW |
MAY 24, 2023 | | |
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Greetings,
We are giving Marc a break from writing the newsletter. He'll be back next week. I am excited to be coming to you with this week’s Letter of the Law on his behalf.
This week, we celebrate the Class of 2023. We commend their years of dedicated study. We applaud their contributions to their communities around them. And we revel in the excitement they shared with friends and family during the Law Convocation held May 13. We are immensely proud of our newest alumni and can’t wait to see their mark on the world.
Congratulations, Class of 2023!
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Until the footnotes,
Chris Gast
Sr. Director of Student Resources
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Convocation Review: University of Arizona Law Class of 2023 | |
University of Arizona Law 2023 graduates gathered at Centennial Hall for convocation on Saturday, May 13, 2023. The event began with welcoming graduates from the Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Professional Studies (MPS), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Graduate Certificates and Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) programs, along with their family and friends in attendance. |  | |
Dean Marc Miller opened the ceremony by telling graduates they are re-shaping what it means to be an active citizen, both with their legal training and experiences gained during their time in law school.
“You have learned to work, and think, and have multi-dimensional lives even when life seemed to shrink to the size of a Zoom screen. That ability to adapt quickly and thrive will be valuable over the course of your life,” said Marc. “You have learned to live with ambiguity. With risk and uncertainty. With losses and sorrow. You remained standing. You have extended compassion and care to those around you – and, as well, you learned about the importance of self-care.”
He shared that though these past few years there has been much cause for concern, there is also much cause for hope.
“We know challenging times persist. And your legal education qualifies you – in a very exceptional and rare way – to step up to these challenges. That you are among those who will meet this moment is cause for great hope.”
He asked graduates to always insist on the truth, demand the ends of justice and to stay engaged, by showing up for their families, friends, colleagues and communities.
Eric Button (‘01), Law College Association President (LCA) followed by encouraging graduates to stay involved and to every so often take a moment to mentally step back and be proud of their hard work and grateful for opportunities they have worked for, and to ponder what they can do to stay inspired.
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Outgoing Student Bar Association President Sarah Gerstel presented the class gift of new regalia for future graduating classes.
“Most of us were able to borrow this regalia for free thanks to the Class of 2013’s Class Gift. But there weren’t enough for all of us, and we lose some to wear and tear every year. So, our class gift is purchasing more regalia, to ensure that graduation stays accessible to everyone,” said Sarah.
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Elected student speakers Kimberly Atieno Otieno (LLM), Jennifer Chambers (MLS), Jacob Marsh (JD) and Jeneva R. Kame Parks (JD) reflected on their time at University of Arizona Law. They shared their experiences while also speaking about resilience, gratitude, service and continued work to uplift humanity.
“Whatever your struggle is—whether it’s against the state or against union-busting companies, whether it’s ending carceral punishment or ending the criminalization of land and water protectors—I hope, and I know, that you have the strength to continue to dream new worlds,” said Jeneva.
“Arizona Law dropped me into a community of people fighting back. The responsibility we shoulder is both great and seemingly inconsequential, short- and long-term, defying any describable unit of measure or time. It’s about carrying on the work of generations past and building something for the future, the finished product of which we’ll likely never see.”
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Judge Roopali H. Desai (JD ‘05, MPH ‘01, BA ‘00) of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit delivered the keynote address and provided advice to graduates for moments when they will feel varying degrees of disorientation and doubt throughout their legal careers. Judge Desai encouraged them to have “-ships” for success: mentorships, allyships and sponsorships – and to be one of these for someone else throughout their careers. Second, she challenged them to work towards something bigger than oneself.
“To think about the problem that needs to be solved as not just your problem, but a problem that requires a bigger, broader and bolder solution can help you move past the moment of panic, and also serve those around you,” said Judge Desai.
Finally, she advised grads to stay true to their values and give back to their communities, regardless of their career paths.
“Whether you work in the private sector or the public sector. As graduates of this law school, you have a responsibility to uphold justice and fairness, to protect the vulnerable, and to use your power for good,” said Judge Desai. “And this obligation exists regardless of your job title.”
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Marc recognized Professor Robert H. Mundheim, who after a unanimous faculty vote, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws. Bob was presented with the award at the University of Arizona’s main campus commencement.
The ceremony also included presentation to Judith Leonard and James S. Rogers (‘72) with the 2023 LCA Award for their commitment to University of Arizona Law and outstanding achievements. Desiree Reed-Francois (‘97) received the University of Arizona Alumni Association’s (UAAA) Professional Achievement Award for her notable athletics administration career. Melanie Fontes Rainer (‘10) was recognized with the UAAA Distinguished Citizen Award for her work toward improving the lives of women and families.
Enjoy video and photo highlights from Convocation!
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Do You Have News?
Your success is the college’s success and we want to celebrate with you! If you have landed a new job, received an award or recognition, stepped into a leadership role or have good news in general, let us know.
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There is nothing quite like the feeling of walking across the stage and receiving your degree — as many of you in our alumni community know. I can still remember the energy of lining up with my Class of 2013.
Perhaps just slightly equal to that feeling is seeing our students achieve their dreams. As professors, mentors, clinical supervisors, supporters and cheerleaders, convocation is the hallmark of our community and a reminder that the future is bright.
I can’t wait to see what the Class of 2023 will do next.
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With much pomp and circumstance, | | | | |
