MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA—The West Virginia University College of Law awarded degrees to 125 graduates on May 16 in a ceremony at the WVU Creative Arts Center.
The class includes WVU’s first LL.M graduates in Energy & Sustainable Development Law.
Arthur Rizer, who was selected Professor of the Year by the Class of 2015, delivered the keynote speech. He explained how WVU Law students are special.
“They have truly amazing character and they have taught me patience, they have taught me a work ethos that I thought I had already mastered, and they have taught me that I can always be surprised by sparks of brilliance in the most unexpected places,” he said.
Rizer also pointed out that members of the WVU Law Class of 2015 “are our future leaders who will ensure that might never makes right and even the most powerless among us have a voice in law.”
At the conclusion of his speech, Rizer left the Class of 2015 with an important quote from Abraham Lincoln: “Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Cindy Turco ‘75, gave the Alumni Charge to the graduates. Turco is vice president of Legal Affairs for Carolina East Health System in New Bern, North Carolina. She encouraged the Class of 2015 to think creatively, to collaborate, to live well and wisely, and to practice law with both their heads and their hearts.
Some other highlights from the College of Law’s 2015 Commencement:
- The College of Law presented its Justitia Officium award to former West Virginia Supreme Court justices Franklin D. Cleckley, Darrell McGraw, and Larry V. Starcher. The Justitia Officium recognizes outstanding contributions and service to the legal profession and it is the highest honor bestowed by the WVU College of Law.
- Provost Joyce McConnell, former dean of the College of Law, conferred an honorary degree on Charlene Jennings Marshall, who served Monongalia County in the West Virginia House of Delegates for 14 years and served as the mayor of Morgantown for seven years.
- This was the first Commencement under new dean Gregory W. Bowman.
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