Commencement at Mitchell Hamline School of Law not only marks the closing of the spring term—it recognizes the years of hard work graduating students have invested. It honors all they’ve accomplished and become. It ushers in their next step as they join a community of over 20,000 alumni and adds two new letters to the end of their name: J.D.
The class of 2024 was honored at its commencement ceremony at 2 pm on Friday, May 31, at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. This ceremony recognized the 370 students who have completed their degree.
Dakota Lancour ’24, a descendant of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, gave the land acknowledgment, followed by David Saucedo ’24 as the student speaker. Professor Leanne Fuith ’10 delivered the charge to the class, and Judge Jerry W. Blackwell was the keynote speaker. Judge Blackwell, among other accolades, has been named Minnesota Attorney of the Year six times, received a lifetime achievement award from the National Bar Association, and was a founding member of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers.
More information about the ceremony can be found on the commencement webpage, and the ceremony livestream is available for all those interested in watching.