Nearly 250 JD, LL.M. Students Graduate

Nearly 250 law and graduate law and business students participated in the Capital University Law School commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 22, 2005 in The Capital Center on the university’s Bexley campus. Students who completed their degree in January 2005 and in May 2005 participated in this event as well as students who will receive their degree in September 2005.

The Honorable Michael Harrison Watson was the commencement speaker for this year’s commencement ceremony. Judge Watson is a 1987 graduate of Capital University Law School and recently joined the bench for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Judge Watson spoke about the path that he took from being a new Capital University Law School alumnus who did not know what he wanted to do, to being appointed to the federal bench."The legacy of [Capital University Law School] has been and should always be to render service to your community. There are people in need that you encounter every day," said Judge Watson. "Open your eyes, your minds, your hearts and most importantly, your wallets to help your community. Use your faith and your intellect to find new ways to serve."

The Dean’s award was given to Kathleen Tregear to honor her outstanding leadership and contributions to the Law School. Jennifer A. Adair received the Dean’s Public Service Award for her outstanding public service to the Law School and the surrounding community.

The Order of the Barristers recognized student excellence in moot court, mock trial and brief writing. Recipients included Jennifer A. Adair, Shannon Leigh Ginther, David Ryan Grimmett, Matthew Morrison Johnson, Angela Michelle Lanctot, Adrienne Michelle Larimer, Janine M. Maney, Amir Clayton Powell and Kathleen Tregear.

Allison Marie Lyons and Angela Michelle Lanctot were recognized with the Ron Friedman Award for the graduating students who have actively contributed to the life of the Law School through extracurricular activities.

Kathleen M. Hughes received the Harter Award for attaining the greatest increase in grade point average over the span of one fulltime academic year at the Law School. Jayne E. Juvan, Manoj Kumar, Kevin L. Smith, and Sandra Ellen Weida were recognized with the West Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award. Karen M. Cadieux received the National Association of Women Lawyers Award.

More than 80 of the graduates had been honored with the Order of the Curia, a Law School honorary society. More than 90 students in the class of 2005 received a Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI) Excellence for the Future Award for fall 2004. These awards certify students who have earned the highest grade for each course in law school.

“The faculty and administration at Capital Law School are proud of these students,” said Dean Jack A. Guttenberg. “Their accomplishments contribute to the tradition of excellence at Capital University Law School.”

The ceremony also marked the loss of two Capital University Law School students. Lt. Charles L. Wilkins III, a former Capital University Law School student, was killed in action on August 20, 2004, while serving in Iraq. Gretchen Brown was in her first year as an evening student at Capital University Law School when she was killed by a drunken driver in February 2002.

Judge Watson was appointed by President George W. Bush and sworn in as Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on October 1, 2004. Prior to his appointment, Judge Watson served on the Tenth District Court of Appeals in Franklin County, from May 1, 2003 until September 30, 2004. From January 1, 1996 until April 30, 2003, Judge Watson served on the Franklin County Common Pleas Court. During his last three years on the trial court, Judge Watson served as Administrative Judge.