Syracuse University College of Law recently held Commencement exercises for the Class of 2025. The Class of 2025 includes 208 recipients of the J.D. degree and 24 LL.M. graduates.
Frank Ryan IV ’90, L’94, the Class of 2025 Commencement Speaker, emphasized the need for resilience as graduates step into the legal profession amid a time of complexity and uncertainty. “The finest and greatest professionals, who often are those who seem to be the happiest and most fulfilled in their professional lives,” he explained, “have three core characteristics: (1) they have a growth mindset, (2) they are anti-fragile, and (3) they understand the power of time.”
In his first Commencement address, Dean Terence Lau reminded the Class of 2025 that above the main entrance of the Supreme Court of the United States are the words “equal justice under law.” And yet carved on the back, just as commanding, are the words “justice, the guardian of liberty.”
“These words remind us that liberty is not passive,” he said. “It doesn’t endure on its own. It’s protected and upheld every day by people like you. People who are called to serve justice with fairness, with wisdom, and with compassion. That’s the role of a lawyer. Not just to interpret the law, but to help make it work for everyone and ensure it is accessible and just. And in doing so, you help strengthen the public’s trust in the very foundation of our democracy.”
During Commencement, the J.D. Class of 2025 awarded Associate Professor of Law Laura Lape the Res Ipsa Loquitor Award (voted upon by the graduating class in recognition of a faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and service to the College of Law).
Associate Director of Academic and Bar Success Lou Lou Delmarsh was awarded the Staff Award (voted upon by the graduating class in recognition of a College of Law staff member in recognition of their support of students and faculty, and their accomplishments that make the College run day-to-day).
The LL.M. Class of 2024 awarded Teaching Professor of Law Richard Risman the Lucet Lex Mundum Award (voted upon by the graduating LL.M. class, it recognizes the professor who has made a significant impact on the success and experiences of LL.M. students during their studies).
