Stetson Law Celebrates Spring 2024 Commencement
During a sunny morning ceremony in the Plaza Mayor Courtyard, nearly 300 Stetson Law students officially became Stetson Law alumni.
Beginning and ending with the sound of bagpipes heralding the processional, the event invited grads to reflect on their time at Stetson Law, thank the loved ones who supported them, and look ahead to the next leg of their professional and personal journeys.
“I know that when you entered Stetson, when you decided to study law, you came here to discover what is best about the College of Law and what is best about you,” said Steven Alexander, Chair of the Stetson University Board of Trustees. “For some of you it was to find out if you had what it takes to become a lawyer. Well, look at you now… And then look around you at the faculty…family and friends with you today, because nobody gets to take this journey alone, and that is what makes Stetson special: faculty and staff that care about you and your success.”
Stetson University President Christopher Roellke asked the graduates to show kindness and empathy in all they do.
“Here at Stetson, you have learned the law and the skills required to apply it to legal practice with integrity and professionalism,” Roellke said. “As you grow and thrive, I challenge you to help those around you to thrive, to offer small acts of kindness and empathy to your clients, partners, institutions and organizations.”
Hard work through trying times
The Spring 2024 class matriculated at Stetson Law amid a pandemic as well as significant shifts in the conversation around law and justice – something speakers addressed head-on in their remarks.
“As a class, we persevered through trying times socially, physically, and mentally,” said Victoria Benson, 2023-2024 President of the Calvin A. Kuenzel Student Bar Association. “Through these hardships and trying times, we have persevered and overcome. We’ve clung tight to our unwavering supports and forged through our uphill battles. Even in the most difficult times, each of us has carried on. And we did not carry on to mere mediocrity. We persevered into success and achievement, and now we stand before our friends and family as law school graduates.”
Stetson Law Dean Benjamin Barros commended the class for their commitment to serving the community despite the challenges.
“Each of you have done a significant amount of pro bono work during your time at Stetson Law. Together, our graduates volunteered more than 20,000 hours of community service,” Barros said. “My hope is that in doing this work you experienced the joy that service can bring and will continue to seek out pro bono work not as an obligation, but as something that you desire to do.”
Stetson Lawyers Alumni Association President, Brittany Maxey-Fisher told the students that their new law degrees will allow them to work in a variety of ways – and asked them to use their legal skills in a way that will make the world a better place.
“In a world that is constantly changing, where new challenges emerge as the sun rises daily it is up to each of you to be beacons of hope, champions of justice, and voices for the voiceless,” she said. “Whether you choose to practice law in the courtroom, advocate for policy change, or pursue a career in academia, the power to affect positive change lies within each of you.”
A keynote from an accomplished alumna
The spring 2024 commencement speaker was University of South Florida President Rhea Law, who earned her J.D. from Stetson Law in 1977 and went on to serve on the University’s Board of Trustees and Board of Overseers. Prior to the start of her remarks, Law was given an honorary Doctor of Laws.
Law reflected on her time at Stetson Law and the impact it had on her life and career.
“In a way, it’s coming home,” Law said. “It’s coming home to this great campus, and this great faculty and staff. By the way, I’ve had a lot of mentors and champions in my life, but some of the greatest were the faculty and staff right here at Stetson University College of Law.”
She told the graduates they will be joining a cohort of thousands of alumni who graduated as full-fledged, practice-ready lawyers – something not lost on her when she was in private practice.
“During my years of leading my law firm, I can always tell you that when a Stetson graduate would come to apply for a job, I knew right away that that person was well suited for the practice of law,” she said. “They were ready for the rigors that would come before them. I knew that they would be trustworthy. I knew that they would have the right kind of background. And because of that, I will tell each of these graduates: you have chosen well by coming to Stetson University College of Law, because they have prepared you and you are going to be very successful.”
She urged the graduates to “always remember your why” as they navigate their careers – and never to back down in times of uncertainty.
“Always believe in yourself,” she said. “And when the doubts come, double down and bet on yourself.”
Post date: May 24
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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