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School of Law : Class of 2012 Celebrates Graduation

Class of 2012 Celebrates Graduation

Student celebrate graduation, May 5, 2012The University of Dayton School of Law’s Class of 2012 celebrated the culmination of their legal education with commencement exercises at the UD Arena on May 5. The class includes 182 graduates: 176 J.D. recipients, four LL.M. recipients and two M.S.L. recipients.  

The members of the class of 2012 increase the Dayton Law Alumni Association to more than 5,000 members.  

Virginia Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth A. McClanahan ’84 returned to the School of Law to deliver the commencement address.  

View our commencement ceremony photo album » 

Dean Paul E. McGreal welcomed the graduates into the legal profession, which, he noted, has played an important role in shaping our society. “The University of Dayton’s mission to ‘Learn, Lead, and Serve’ charges you to also make a difference in your communities,” he said.  

“You spent your time at Dayton Law receiving rigorous professional training,” McGreal said, “whether in classes, clinics, externships, moot court and mock trial competitions, editing articles for Law Review, or in some other way. And you have proven your commitment to public service.”  

McGreal praised the class’ commitment to community, noting that graduates had set a new record for public service hours donated by Dayton Law students.  

The class includes 75 students who received the School’s Pro Bono Commitment to Community Award, which is given to those who contribute at least 50 hours of community service during their time in law school. The class includes the largest number of Pro Bono Commitment to Community recipients, who donated almost 12,000 total hours of community service.

In her commencement address, Justice McClanahan advised the graduates to be flexible and be prepared to experience surprises and unplanned events during their careers. “Seek a vocation not a job,” she urged the class. “You need to find your passion.”

“Perhaps the greatest asset that a law degree affords you is the ability to do great things,” she said. “Lawyers can serve in capacities that make the world a better place. Measure your success as a lawyer not in monetary terms, but in terms of what makes you fulfilled and at peace with your creator, and based on your ability to help those whom you serve in the Marianist tradition."

She also noted that a University of Dayton graduate needs no instructions about providing community service or pro bono work.

“Here at Dayton, we understand the philosophy and practice of servant leadership,” McClanahan said. “We see ourselves as humble stewards of God and thus the community around us and are committed to the betterment of the society in which we live.”

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