More than 200 Graduate from the Law School; Gov. Ted Strickland Receives Honorary Degree

May 29, 2007

Honoring over 200 graduates, Governor Ted Strickland delivered the commencement address at the 2007 Capital University Law School graduation on Sunday, May 20. For the first time, the Law School commencement and hooding ceremony was held at the Ohio Theatre where graduates, family and friends enjoyed the historic location. Of the graduating students, 204 were Juris Doctor (JD) recipients, six received a Master of Taxation (MT) degree and five received a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree.

Strickland was presented with an honorary doctor of laws degree during the commencement ceremony. Elected governor of Ohio on Nov. 7, 2006, Strickland was sworn into office on Jan. 8, 2007. Before becoming governor of Ohio, Strickland had served as a minister, a psychologist, a professor and a Member of Congress. Strickland holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Asbury College in Kentucky, a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of Kentucky.

In his remarks, Dean Jack A. Guttenberg said, “This class is special for me –the full-time JD students were my first entering class as dean of the Law School. I will take special pride in your future accomplishments. “

Peter E. Jones, class valedictorian, also addressed the students.

Robert L. Gresham, Melissa Grace Messina and Jason Robert Owen received the Dean’s award which is given to graduating students to honor outstanding leadership and contributions to Capital University Law School.

Lindsay LaVonne Ford, Erica Leigh Gartner, Jarrod L. Shirk and Deidre L. Wunderlich received the 2007 Dean’s Public Service Award given to graduating students to honor outstanding public service to Capital University Law School and the surrounding community.

Brandon A. Borgmann, Lindsay LaVonne Ford, Daylan A. Nyarko, Anthony E. Palmer Jr., Justin Arrion Palmer, Deana Joy Rybak, Adam F. Saad, Jarrod L. Shirk, and Michel M. Vance are the 2007 inductees into the Order of the Barristers, an honorary society that recognizes student excellence in moot court, mock trial, and brief writing.

Luzy Jannette Jaime received the Ron Friedman Award recognizing a graduating student who has actively contributed to the life of the Law School through extracurricular activities.
Lynette S. Wade received the Harter Award for attaining the greatest increase in grade point average over the span of one full time academic year at the Law School.

The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) Award recognizes an outstanding female law student. This year, the NAWL went to Lynette S. Wade.

Mary Celeste Daugherty received the American Bankruptcy Medal of Excellence given to a student for outstanding performance in bankruptcy.