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June 29 - July 5, 2003 |
Honorary Degree for Judge Williams
U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Ann C. Williams (left) receives congratulations from Alfred E. Gallo (right), president of the Board of Trustees of The John Marshall Law School, and Associate Dean John Corkery (center) upon receiving an honorary degree during the law school's 175th commencement ceremonies at McCormick Place June 15. Judge Williams addressed the nearly 300 graduates.
Graduates Urged to Work For a Better Society
"Be part of the solution," U.S. Appellate Court Judge Ann C. Williams urged the more than 250 graduates at the 175th commencement ceremony for The John Marshall Law School.
Williams said she understood the feelings of accomplishment, and the thrill and excitement that comes with graduating from law school, but at the same time the new John Marshall attorneys should recognize that they have challenges and serious tasks ahead.
"You have a right to savor and celebrate," she told the class. But has new attorneys, she advised that the graduates follow four principles that she believes would help them: courage, judgment, integrity and dedication. The hundreds of lawyers who have come before all carried these principles with them, and each made a difference because of their convictions, Judge Williams said.
This generation has every right to ask why it should care about society when the past generations haven't been able to solve the nation's major problems. The truth is that each generation makes improvements step by step, she told the graduates.
William Henry Hastie, for example, stepped down from his position as civilian aide to Secretary of War Henry L. Stinson in 1943, to protest segregation and discrimination in the armed forces. He was among the voices urging President Harry Truman to move to full integration of the military. The president took that action in 1949. Truman recognized Hastie for his courage and integrity, and later appointed him to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Hastie is just one of many that has come before that should be emulated for their examples of standing up "for what's right and fair," the judge reminded the audience.
Williams reiterated her own story. Her father, who had a degree in psychology, couldn't find a job when the family moved to Detroit, so he drove a bus. He said he accepted the position because it allowed him to provide for his family. Williams learned the value of hard work from his example. She was a teacher who attended classes at night to earn a master's degree before deciding to go to law school.
Stepping forward to do pro bono work, believing in one's convictions and making the path easier for the next generation should all be part of the dreams of graduates, Williams said.
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Ewing Receives First Oswald Scholarship
Third-year student Nathan Ewing (back row, right) was recently honored as the first recipient of the Jane D. Oswald Scholarship. John Marshall Associate Dean Oswald established the scholarship fund in memory of her husband, Bernard F. Oswald, who died in 1997. Congratulating Ewing on his award are (back row, from left) James Brian Durkin (J.D. '88), former member of the Illinois House of Representatives; and John Marshall Associate Deans William K. Beach and William B. Powers; and (front row, from left) Yara Alonzo, director of Financial Aid; Associate Dean Oswald; and Dean Robert Gilbert Johnston.
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Schedule of Events
July 4
- Independence Day Holiday, Building Closed
July 8
- AIDS Foundation Training, Room 1200, 9:00 a.m.
July 9
- Real Estate Advisory Committee, Room 1200B
July 10
- American Academy of Medical Management, 5th Floor, 8:00 a.m.
July 11
- American Academy of Medical Management, 5th Floor, 8:00 a.m.
July 12
- American Academy of Medical Management, 5th Floor, 8:00 a.m.
- Admissions Recruiting Forum, Washington D.C., 10:00 a.m.