The atmosphere inside the Hult Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday contrasted sharply with the misty gray afternoon. The 170 members of the University’s School of Law graduating class received their degrees inside the nearly-packed theater, and the Class of 2007 Commencement was a light-hearted event.
Every speaker seemed happy to be there – especially Class of 2007 Speaker Jamila Taylor. She received a roar of applause for kicking off her heels upon reaching the podium and “(getting) down to business.” Taylor, in her brief speech, enthusiastically told the class to prepare for the difficult lifelong task that would follow.
Other student speakers included Student Bar Association President Emilia Gardner and Class of 2007 representatives Traci Hopfe and Carolyn Moser. Graduates Chad Spraker and Brett Landis performed two musical interludes, with Spraker on piano and Landis contributing vocals to the second interlude.
Professor Ralph Mooney, selected by the graduating class, led the procession. After University President Dave Frohnmayer conferred the final degree, Mooney gave a nostalgic speech, recalling several entertaining moments in classes with the graduating students.
Mooney won over the crowd when, prior to beginning the speech, he walked across the crowd, kissed Taylor on the cheek, returned to the podium and said “I’ve never kissed a Republican before … It wasn’t that bad.”
Mooney praised the Class of 2007 for its exceptional commitment to community service and contribution to society in general. He noted that in the community services hours competition between the state of Oregon’s three law schools, the University performed more than 11,000 hours, and the other two schools combined performed less than 4,000.
The graduation speaker, Honorable Madam Justice Claire L’Heureux-Dubé, former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, spoke about the importance of equality in both law and society. She encouraged students to further equality in the judicial system, because inequality breeds injustice. L’Heureux-Dubé also said although it was her first visit to the state of Oregon, she was aware of the state’s beauty and praised the class’ work for social progress: the former justice’s forte.
L’Heureux-Dubé was the first woman from Québec appointed to the high court, and as Law School Dean Margaret Paris noted, one of the most socially progressive candidates ever to hold the seat. She is known for her aggressive defense of equality rights in all areas.
The law school’s 2007 Meritorious Service Award, presented to alumni or law professionals “who have made extraordinary contributions to legal education and the law,” was awarded to Judge Dorothy W. Nelson of the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Nelson was the first female dean of a major law school, the University of Southern California, and was not present to accept the award.
The 2006 Meritorious Service Award was presented to retired Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson Jr., who was not present last year but attended 2007 Commencement.
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Law School 2007 Commencement
The 170 members of the School of Law graduating class received their degrees Saturday afternoon at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts.
Honorable Madam Justice Claire L’Heureux-Dubé, the graduation speaker, encouraged the students to pursue social justice and promote equality in future work.
Law School Professor Ralph Mooney led the procession and spoke about the class’ outstanding community service.
Student speakers included Jamila Taylor, Traci Hopfe and Carolyn Moser. Chad Spraker and Brett Landis performed the musical interludes.