Dean’s Blog

I am pleased to announce that both of our law campuses will hear commencement addresses from alumnus U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy. Murphy, a 1999 graduate of the Harrisburg campus, will speak at the Delaware graduation on the campus lawn Saturday, May 16 and again Sunday, May 17 at the Harrisburg graduation in The Forum at the Capitol Complex. He will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the Harrisburg ceremony.

Murphy is widely considered to be a rising star in national politics. He was the first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress and he served as a captain in the U.S. Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division in Baghdad between 2003-2004. He was later awarded the bronze star for service. Murphy has also worked in private practice and early in his career was an associate professor of constitutional law at West Point. He was elected to Congress in 2006.

We have already honored our student award winners at ceremonies held in late April. Two of the most prestigious honors were the dean’s award and the president’s award. The dean’s award is given annually to the graduating student who, in the dean’s opinion, has demonstrated outstanding legal aptitude, exemplary service, significant leadership skills and the potential to become an outstanding member of the legal community.

In Harrisburg, on April 28, I was pleased to present the dean’s award  to Cory S. Winter and in Delaware, on April 21, I presented it  to Damien N. Tancredi.

The president’s award is given to the second-year student who has demonstrated scholastic achievement and possesses high potential for meaningful contribution to the law school, the community and the profession.

In Harrisburg, Widener University President James T. Harris III presented the award to Brianna Davidson. University Senior Vice President and Provost Jo Allen stood in for Harris at the Delaware program and gave the honor to student Christina M. Marinakis.

Fateen Jahaad Bullock, seen in the picture here with me, was honored with an Outstanding Service Award.

On behalf of the faculty, staff and administration of the Widener University School of Law, I am writing to congratulate you as you approach the culmination of your legal education, our 2009 Commencement ceremonies. Find all the information on our Commencement Information site.

Commencement marks the completion of your legal studies, and accordingly, it is one of the most significant events on our academic calendar. At Commencement, we celebrate your achievements and all the hard work that helped you reach this stage of your career. We also recognize the faculty’s role in preparing you for the future, and express appreciation to all of those who helped you succeed, especially your families.

I am looking forward to participating with you in the Commencement ceremony and the events which surround it, and hope that your family and friends will join us to make your graduation a memorable occasion.
Sincerely,

Linda L. Ammons, J.D.
Associate Provost and Dean