Congratulations to the MSL Class of 2021, seventy-six online and residential students who kept their eye on the prize through this crazy year and earned their MSL degrees! The year that has been anything but ordinary was capped off by celebrations, excitement, and milestones that were also anything but ordinary!
The Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Convocation was a week-long series of events for MSL students that kicked off with a graduation party, planned by the MSL Student Governance Events Committee. The party featured trivia, special MSL cocktails/mocktails, MSL’s Got Talent performances, and plenty of socializing. Part-time students Kara Ferracuti (MSL ’22), Patricia Dunham (MSL ’21), Wendy Rodriguez (MSL ’21), and Diana Sancen (MSL ’22), shared artistic performances, and there were themed breakout rooms with lively discussion.
Later on in the week was the ‘Last Lecture,’ a long-standing Law School send-off tradition, where a faculty member selected by the students delivers the last formal address of the academic year. This year, students selected Professor Steve Reed, who delighted with his usual mix of humor and substance; he talked about the importance of staying together as a community and reminded graduates of one of the most important lessons learned in law school: to expect constant change.
An MSL reception on Thursday provided the opportunity for students, faculty, family, and friends to reflect on the year and to celebrate the accomplishments of MSL graduates. At the reception, the program presented its Outstanding Professor awards: Bri Travis (MSL ’22) presented the online teaching award to Professor George Pike, and Katharine Yancy (MSL ’21) presented the residential teaching award to Professor Peter DiCola. Five MSL graduates gave wonderful speeches reflecting on their time in the program and their aspirations for the future: Patricia Dunham, Francisco Canales, Stella Wu, Yasmine Ramachandra, and Justin Sperry. Reception attendees were treated to a recorded message from Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker, and MSL Admissions Manager Ashlee Hardgrave graciously allowed us to share a recording of her beautiful rendition of Light of a Clear Blue Morning, which ended with not a lot of dry eyes. Graduate Elizabeth Bailey gave the official class toast, and the event concluded with a roll call during which the assembled family members and friends cheered on their graduate. After the formal program, the brave and the willing took part in the annual tradition of MSL Karaoke, aka “Cory-oke,” so named in honor of graduating student Cory Cain, our resident karaoke guru.
The week culminated in the formal ceremony honoring all 2021 Law School graduates. The students in each degree program selected one of their own to speak at the ceremony; the MSL program was represented by graduating MSL student Kimberly Ransom. Though not everybody was able to attend in person, those who attended had the opportunity to walk across the stage and wave at the dean and other school personnel, including MSL staff members Evan Goldberg and Ashlee Hardgrave. (Evan and Ashlee had so much fun seeing our graduates in person!) Graduates who did not attend got their name called while a slide with their picture and a quote was displayed. For those who did not attend in person, the MSL program hosted a festive watch party over Zoom.
We are so proud of the MSL Class of 2021, and we look forward to supporting you as you embark on your next chapter. Congratulations, and stay in touch!
