Commencement 2008

May 10, 2008

The morning started with breakfast in Boettcher Hall followed by the faculty procession across the Boulder campus to the Coors Events Center, led by the traditional bagpipes. The faculty and staff applauded the Class of ’08 as it proceeded into the Center while the Boulder Brass played “Pomp and Circumstance.” This is the first time that the Law School Commencement has been held at the Coors Events Center.

The Commencement Ceremony started at 9 am with a welcome speech by Dean David Getches. Professor Paul Campos recognized the members of the Order of the Coif and presented the Honorary Order of the Coif to Jim R. Carrigan, a former Colorado Law professor and has dedicated his 55-year legal career to public service and education. Judge Carrigan was a Colorado Supreme Court Justice, U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado, Regent of the University of Colorado, and professor.

Class President Michael Wautlet made an excellent speech recounting the past three years and reflecting the change students have gone through. Class Vice President Christopher Fry recognized student and faculty awards, while Class Treasurer Tina Wainright presented the class gift, a memorial fund established in the memory of Jenn Shelton. The Class of 2008 Jennifer Lee Shelton Memorial Scholarship was established after she unexpectedly passing away this past December. Jenn’s parents, Jerry and Jan Shelton, were at the ceremony and accepted her degree posthumously on behalf of their daughter.

Class Secretary Joseph Chen introduced the keynote speaker, Chief Judge Robert Henry of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Oklahoma. His speech included laughter, reflection, and the bible story of Abraham arguing with God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Judge Henry ended his speech with comparison: like Abraham, lawyers should argue with judges, and like God, judges will sometimes accede to the arguments.

Unique to this year’s commencement, the Class of 2008 asked a for a Native American song and drum presentation, which was performed by Good Feather Drum Group. Finally, Registrar Cindy Gibbons read the names of each graduate who received their diploma from Associate Dean Dayna Matthew and from Dean Getches. As tradition, Dean Getches read the Charge by Dean Emeritus Don Sears (Dean, 1968-1973).

The Sears Charge

You have now received the Juris Doctor degree. Please do not take undue pride in this title, for in the final analysis the test of your professional fitness will lie not in your title, but rather in your service to society and in the extent to which you combine professional skills with humane concern, legal learning with intense integrity, great energy with high ideals. What kind of lawyer you will be depends in large part on the kind of person you are. I hope you may continue to grow and that, in the years to come, you will live the most challenging life of all: the life of the mind, the life of service. To you all, we wish great success in your chosen profession.