By Monty Siekerman
Eighty-five law students received Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees during commencement ceremonies on Sunday afternoon at the ONU Sports Center Field House.
The impressive ceremony includes the investiture of hoods and the presentation of diplomas to all candidates who qualify for the degrees.
The Hon. Jessica E. Price Smith, an ONU graduate and bankruptcy judge, gave the commencement address. She received the honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Fifty-eight students received the Juris Doctor degree and 27 others, from 10 nations, earned the Master of Laws degree in democratic governance and rule of law. Seven students were dual majors and received both degree.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the law school for the graduates, their families and friends.
PHOTOS
• Matthew Schreiber with sister Elizabeth following law commencement. Matthew graduated Cum Laude, receiving dual degrees: Juris Doctor and Master of Laws. He is from Naples, Maine, and received his undergraduate degree from Susquehanna University.
• John Smalley, a senior faculty member, serves as grand marshal of the academic procession and carries the institutional mace, a traditional emblem of authority of the bearer.
• Jeff Allison, a senior faculty member, leads the academic procession bearing an ornate institutional banner. Faculty members process in order of their academic rank, with senior full professors first. Commencement traditions go back centuries making the ceremony dignified, joyful, solemn, historical, fun, reminiscent, and memorable.
