125 Graduates Receive Juris Doctor Degrees
On Friday, May 9, 2014, the University of Kentucky College of Law held its Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2014. Family and friends gathered in the Singletary Center for the Arts to honor and celebrate the graduating students.
Jeffrey S. Moad, as the highest-ranked student of the class, gave the greetings for the graduates.
“I am humbled to have this opportunity to speak today,” said Moad. “It has been an absolute honor to spend these past three years with some of the smartest, kindest, and most interesting people I have ever met.”
He went on to thank family, friends and the College of Law community for the support of his classmates throughout their journey. He reminisced about the great things this class had experienced together – from Barristers Balls and volunteering in the community, to playing intense games of table tennis. He discussed how the Class of 2014 bonded and built their own special UK Law community.
Professor Stephen Clowney, selected by the graduating students, delivered remarks on behalf of the College of Law faculty and Thomas L. Rouse, President of the Kentucky Bar Association, spoke on behalf of the practicing bar.
The faculty selected Jessica Beard as this year’s Faculty Cup Recipient and Dean David A. Brennen presented her with an engraved silver julep cup during the presentation of awards. The Faculty Cup recognizes a graduating student whose endeavors, both in and out of the classroom, made the law school a more interesting place in which to teach and a more pleasant place for faculty and students alike. Dean Brennen then presented members of the graduating class with certificates signifying attainment of the degree of Juris Doctor.
“Dean Brennen, my faculty colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, this is the University of Kentucky College of Law Class of 2014,” said Dean Douglas Michael proudly to the audience.
Earl F. “Chip” Hamm, the College of Law Alumni Association President, welcomed the 125 new graduates as distinguished alumni. Dean Brennen provided remarks to close out the ceremony. In closing remarks, Dean Brennen noted the accomplishments of this class.
“The College of Law Class of 2014 is a collection of students who have formed a community that extends beyond the classroom,” stated Dean Brennen. “In the three years this class has been a part of the College of Law, these students have achieved extraordinary accomplishments including assisting in the VITA tax clinic to assist in preparing approximately 1,593 tax returns and saving local taxpayers over $321,735 in preparation fees, raising funds and collecting needed supplies for Kentucky tornado victims and Kentucky Refugee Ministries, integrating health and wellness into the Law School community by participating in wellness club initiatives, assisting with the election process by staffing the Kentucky voter hotline through the Law Election Protection Project as well as assisting the Kentucky Board of Elections with election monitoring on election day, succeeding in Trial Team competitions, attending the Annual Conference on Women in Law for the first time, participating in the Kentucky Innocence Project administered by the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy, and performing pro bono work through Eastern Kentucky alternative spring break opportunities.”
Congratulations Class of 2014! We look forward to the remarkable achievements of this class in years to come.
*Final graduation results may vary.