As the law school’s class of 2006 filed down the stairs of the auditorium, the packed house erupted in applause, cheers and camera flashes. The law faculty followed afterward, donning robes and mortarboards and taking seats on the stage alongside University President Dave Frohnmayer and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore..
During the Sunday commencement ceremony, 177 graduates of the University’s School of Law received their diplomas in the Hult Center’s Silva Concert Hall in downtown Eugene.
Dean Margie Paris said the event marked the end of three years’ hard work and the beginning of the graduates’ careers as legal professionals.
In his speech, Student Bar Association President James Edward Wilson IV, read a quote from Horace Mann: “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.”
“I am confident that every member of this class will meet that challenge,” Wilson said.
Class speaker Albert Soohan Kim followed Wilson with an examination of the lighter side of the law school experience. Kim spoke about the prevalence of hook-ups in the school.
“Some of us came to law school single. Others came with children they actually knew of,” he said.
Nevertheless, Kim said, law school students did not spend all their time partying.
“Partying was only 92.3 percent of it,” Kim said. “I am 100 percent confident that 68 percent of you will represent us well, and to the other 32 percent – good luck. You’re gonna need it.”
He finished by thanking his own mother to loud applause.
Dean Paris presented awards to women’s-rights activist Phyllis D. Barkhurst, Oregon Supreme Court Justice Wallace P. Carson Jr. and University professor Joe Metcalfe.
Following the awards presentation, Blumenauer delivered the commencement address.
“I’ve worked very hard not to give a political speech,” he said.
Blumenauer spoke about the nation’s prison population, immigration, health care, wealth disparity, outsourcing and the gap in understanding between Democrats and Republicans.
“We can’t avoid the consequences of our policy,” Blumenauer said. “We’re all going to be in this together for a long time.”
After Paris recognized the students with the highest GPAs, Frohnmayer stood and bestowed the students with the title of Doctor of Jurisprudence.
The students entered the “real world” with a chorus of cheers.