Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota’s 50th lieutenant governor, will give the keynote address at Mitchell Hamline’s commencement on May 31, where over 300 graduates will receive their J.D. or LL.M. degree.
“Mitchell Hamline has been a force in our community for generations, and you don’t need to look far to see the impact that alumni of this distinguished institution have made on our society. It is my privilege to address and celebrate this remarkably talented class of legal minds at their commencement ceremony,” said Lt. Gov. Flanagan. “The class of 2025 is entering the legal profession at a critical time in our history. Now, more than ever, their talents are needed to protect the rights of individuals, pursue justice, and to advance the rule of law for all.”
Lt. Gov. Flanagan is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and currently the country’s highest ranking Native woman elected to executive office. Her work centers making progress for children, working families, communities of color and Indigenous communities, and Minnesotans who have historically been underserved and underrepresented.
“Lt. Gov. Flanagan is a trailblazer in Minnesota and the United States, and we are thrilled to have her as part of our commencement ceremony to inspire our graduates from across the globe with her story,” said Mitchell Hamline President and Dean Camille Davidson.
Prior to joining the governor’s office, Flanagan served on the Minneapolis Board of Education, Wellstone Action, and Children’s Defense Fund – Minnesota. She was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2015.
Mitchell Hamline has over 23,000 alumni, representing all 50 states, 4 U.S. territories, and 86 foreign countries. In addition, Mitchell Hamline educates more Native students than any other law school.