“Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” – Nora Ephron
“A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells hundreds of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that individuality is the key to success.” - Robert Orben
“It’s not easy being a mother. If it were, fathers would do it.” - Dorothy, The Golden Girls
This past weekend was very special for me both personally and professionally. Saturday was the Cleveland State University Commencement, and I had the rare privilege of proudly handing a diploma to my daughter, Jessica, who graduated with a B.A. in social work.
Yesterday was Mother’s Day and our C|M|LAW Commencement. As we honored our mothers, we also honored our outstanding graduates. Our Commencement was the culmination of a year of teaching, studying, inquiring, debating, volunteering, leading, and learning as our Class of 2018 graduated.
Our 103 graduates came to us from more than 38 colleges and universities across the country and around the world. 88 graduated with a JD degree, 6 with joint degrees, 2 with an LLM degree, and 13 with an MLS degree from our Masters of Legal Studies program.
We heard from leaders who epitomize our mission: Learn Law. Live Justice. This was CSU President Ronald Berkman’s final Commencement as President, and he received a standing ovation for his outstanding leadership of the university for the past 9 years. We also heard inspiring remarks from CSU Board Chair-Elect David Gunning ’94. We were joined by Provost Jianping Zhu, Professor William Bowen, President of the university’s Faculty Senate, our outstanding faculty, our students’ families and friends, and a number of alumni, including many distinguished members of the state and local judiciary.
We awarded honorary degrees to Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar and to Judge Patricia Blackmon ’75and Judge Melody Stewart ’88. Both are Judges on the Ohio Court of Appeals for the 8th District, and 2017 inductees in our C|M|LAW Hall of Fame. Our dynamic Commencement Speaker was Oberlin College President Ambar. President Ambar is a lawyer, having earned her J.D. at Columbia Law School. Since our Commencement was on Mother’s Day, it’s particularly fitting that she and her husband are parents of 11-year-old triplets, Gabrielle, Luke, and Daniel. I’m a proud graduate of Oberlin College and served on the Board of Trustees for many years, so I was particularly excited that President Ambar joined us.Each of our speakers was eloquent, and I will be quoting from each of them in the coming weeks and months.
Karen Rubin ’85 received the Judge Richard M. Markus Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year Award. Brent Buckley ‘82, Chair of our Board of Visitors, and Tim Collins ‘85, President of our Alumni Association, presented our new “Live Justice” pin to each graduate. Professor Patti Falk, the Student Bar Association Faculty Member of the Year, led the student procession andAssociate Deans Michael Borden and Milena Sterio read the names of each graduate. Jill Natran and Holli Goodman led a team of staff and student volunteers who superbly organized the event at the historic Connor Palace Theatre.
Our student speakers were Jzinae Jackson ’18, the Dean’s Learn Law. Live Justice. Award recipient, Rachel Byrnes ’18, Valedictorian, and Lauren Holler ’19, Student Bar Association President. Below are some remarks from these three remarkable students.
“ To my daughter, I want you to know that this moment is an example of the power of manifestation and that your dreams have no limits.
In 2010, I stood before my high school classmates during our commencement and declared that I would return in 10 years as Attorney Jackson.
This is to show you that if you want something, speak it into existence, walk by faith, and trust in God when things get hard….
To the Class of 2018, remember, we are in one of the most noble professions because our job is not to serve ourselves, but our number one responsibility is to serve and advocate for others.
As the Honorable Thurgood Marshall once said. ‘None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody - a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns - bent down and helped us pick up our boots.’ It is now our turn to bend down and help pick someone up.” -Jzinae Jackson ’18 , Dean’s Learn Law. Live Justice. Awardrecipient.
“ My favorite movie is A Few Good Men…. when I was thinking about graduation and about what I wanted to say today, one quote from the movie kept coming to mind. At the very end of the movie, after being dishonorably discharged, one of the Marines explained what they did wrong and why they were being punished. He said, "We were supposed to fight for the people who couldn't fight for themselves."
To me, this quote exemplifies exactly what we, as lawyers, are supposed to do every day during our careers. We are expected to stand up and advocate for those who need our help to advocate for themselves. This is the very reason why many of us chose to pursue law school in the first place. We wanted to become the person that people turn to when they are facing some of the toughest times of their lives. We wanted to learn how to best serve and fight for others.
During law school, there were several times that most of us forgot about this. It’s easy to lose sight of why it is we are putting in the long hours and suffering through difficult classes and exams….We are always going to be stressed and busy and worried about a billion little things. But, it is important to remember that as of today, we are officially lawyers, and now we are the ones tasked with fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.” -Rachel Byrnes ’18, Valedictorian
“As I look out at all of you, I see so much more than just my colleagues. I see not only a group of talented, smart young lawyers. But as I am standing here, I can honestly say that I am looking at a group of remarkable human beings who truly respect one another, support one another, and care for one another. And I think that’s really something to be proud of that defines graduates of this law school.
Yes, Cleveland-Marshall graduates are successful lawyers. But even more importantly, Cleveland-Marshall graduates are genuine, great people…..This culture of respect, support, and care permeates through everyone who is part of the Cleveland-Marshall community: it permeates through the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and law school supporters. It’s this respect, support, and care that makes Cleveland-Marshall really more like a family…. we are all really part of this Cleveland-Marshall family for life.” -Lauren Holler ’19, President, Student Bar Association
Have a great week.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.
My best,
Lee
My views in all my Monday Morning Messages are my personal views alone and do not reflect the views of our Law School or our University.