“It’s a bitter sweet day,” said graduating law student Ryan French just before he and the rest of the class of May 2014 walked down the aisle at Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 17, at Copley Symphony Hall located in downtown San Diego.
At the start of the ceremony, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Randy K. Jones welcomed the graduates and their family and friends. “Honored guests, we gather today to confer the degree of Juris Doctor, Master of Laws and Doctor of Science on the members of the May and August 2014 graduating class.”
Mr. Jones also awarded an Honorary Degree to Former Board of Trustees member Richard D. Prochazka.
Dean Thomas Guernsey awarded honors plaques to Summa Cum Laude graduates. “I take great pride in recognizing these extraordinary scholars today.”
Kimberly Roth, graduating Summa Cum Laude, addressed the audience as Valedictorian. “Three years of hard work. Three years of dedication. Three years of learning how to be a lawyer. Three years of living in the law library, late nights at the coffee shop, and internships with little to no pay. Three years of strained relationships. Three years of missed special occasions. Three years of stress and emotional roller coasters. Three years of living in the beautiful city of San Diego, learning from amazing professors, and forming new friendships and new relationships. Thomas Jefferson School of Law, graduating class of 2014. Law school has been quite the journey. Congratulations, we finally made it.”
“I’m really excited to be Valedictorian of my graduating class,” said Roth. “It means all of my hard work paid off! These past three years have flown by, but I am eager to graduate, pass the bar, and enter the real world!”
Board of Trustees member, the Honorable Roger T. Benitez ’78, delivered the commencement address. “When life throw hurdles at you, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed. A wise man once said the reason that they are called hurdles is because they can be overcome.”
TJSL Alumni Association President Eric Ganci '08 welcomed the new graduates by addressing them as “colleagues” and letting them know as instant members of the association that they are not alone - the alumni number in the thousands and there are many services available to them as alums.
During her speech, Valedictorian Kimberly Roth asked that everyone direct their attention to those who took the journey through law school with them.“Our parents, siblings, significant others, children and friends. Thank you for your continuous love and encouragement. Not enough can be said about the support you all have provided. Thank you so much for always sticking by our side. I would also like to apologize on behalf of our class,” said Roth. “We are sorry for not returning your texts, not returning your phone calls, and not returning your emails or facebook messages. And, when we finally did respond, sorry for being moody, short tempered, argumentative, and emotional. We are sorry for missing so many special occasions: your birthday, our own birthday, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, Mother’s day, and pretty much any other holiday that occurred around the date we had a paper due, a final to study for, or a brief to finish at work. But friends and family, you’re not off the hook yet! We still need your support these next few months as we study for the bar exam – specifically 74 more days.”
In closing, Dean Guernsey invited everyone to the TJSL campus for a celebration and reception.
