UK Rosenberg College of Law Holds Commencement Ceremony for Class of 2026

The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026 on Friday, May 8, at the Singletary Center for the Arts. Guests of the graduates, along with college faculty and staff, celebrated the 143 students who received their degree certificates.

“Today is a long-awaited day of celebration for the graduates and their families and loved ones here today,” Interim Dean Jim Duff said. “We all share in your feelings of accomplishment, relief, excitement, and optimism about the future.”

The ceremony included remarks from individuals representing the students, faculty and the legal profession. As the top-ranked student in the class, Benjamin S. Schaeffer of Lexington, Kentucky, spoke on behalf of the students. He was followed by Professor Mary J. Davis who the graduating class selected to bring remarks on behalf of the faculty. Finally, John D. Minton Jr., retired Chief Justice of Kentucky and a 1977 graduate of the law school shared words of encouragement on behalf of the bar.

“This class is a collection of students who have formed an extraordinary community that excels in the classroom and extends beyond it,” Duff said.

The interim dean introduced Schaeffer, the student speaker, who served as staff editor of Volume 113 of the Kentucky Law Journal and production editor for Volume 114.

“We all have different career aspirations and, perhaps, different reasons for choosing to attend law school, but we share the experience of having been challenged intellectually and personally in ways we could not have fully anticipated,” Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer said law school taught them far more than the law. It also taught them to question assumptions, to see complexity in simple problems, and to recognize that the strongest arguments often come from understanding perspectives different from our own.

“It has taught us resilience. It has taught us to use our voice. And perhaps above all it has taught the power of community,” he said. “These are the lessons that we will carry with us.”

Davis had the entire Class of 2026 for torts in fall 2023 in the G. Chad Perry III Grand Courtroom, an unusual arrangement because class sizes are not typically so large in law school. In her remarks on behalf of the faculty, Davis shared what she learned from the class during that time. The lessons included showing up for each other, staying engaged, and working through the difficult times.

“You lifted one another up every day in small but incredibly meaningful ways,” Davis said. “You engaged one another with humility and respect.”

Near the end of her remarks, Davis briefly put on the crown she was given when she stepped down as dean at the end of June 2024. 

“The queen’s crown is not for the queen, it is for the people she serves,” Davis said. “It’s a reminder that we show up for others, we stay until the end for others, and we walk with humility and respect for others. At the end of the day, that’s our job as lawyers, as servants of institutions and clients, and as leaders in our communities. You don’t need a crown to display it. You’ve done it for three years.”

Minton congratulated the graduates on behalf of the bar and welcomed them to a supportive alumni group. “Your dedication, your sacrifice, your resilience and your intellectual curiosity have earned you this juris doctor degree and your place in this graduating class,” he said.

Beau Steenken, associate dean of academic affairs, called the graduates’ names as Duff presented members of the class with certificates signifying attainment of the degree of Juris Doctor. The graduating class elected Professors Zachary Bray and Kathryn Moore to carry out the tradition of placing a doctoral hood on each graduate.

Several graduates received special awards and recognition during the ceremony. Twenty-three graduates were in the running for nomination and election to the Order of the Coif. The top 10 percent of the class will be inducted once all grades are final. Ten students were recognized with the Pro Bono Award for completing at least 50 hours of independent, law-related public service prior to graduation.

Finally, the faculty selected Toby Jane Giganti of Chatham, Illinois, as the 2026 recipient of the Faculty Cup. The Faculty Cup recognizes a graduating student whose endeavors, both in and outside of the classroom, made the law school a more interesting place for faculty and students alike.

“As one nominator noted, ‘I have rarely seen a more effective SBA president.’ Her energy and enthusiasm for the role, while simultaneously serving on the Moot Court National Team, were unmatched. She exemplifies student leadership, leading with both compassion and complete dedication to the good of the community,” Duff said. “She is a force for good, and we are all better for it.”

Duff concluded the ceremony by congratulating the graduates again and welcoming them to the profession.