BU School of Law Commencement 2016

Congratulations, BU Law Class of 2016!

On May 15, the Boston University School of Law community convened at the Agganis Arena for the 143rd Commencement ceremony. Carmen M. Ortiz, United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, delivered the Commencement speech and joined the graduates and their families in the celebration.

Following Ms. Ortiz’s address, LLM student Diana Mazloum and JD student Ryan Melvin delivered two exceptional speeches. Having received their degrees, the 495 graduates mingled and rejoiced at a reception following the ceremony.

Slideshow

 

Ordering Photos & Videos

Photographs

Commencement Photos, Inc. took photographs of students receiving their diplomas and a formal shot once they left the stage. Commencement Photos, Inc. will be contacting students directly with information about purchasing their photos. Candids from the day can be purchased by visiting Commencement Photos, Inc.’s SmugMug page.

DVDs

The live video production on the Terriervision video screens inside Agganis Arena has been converted to DVD format. The DVD includes the entrance procession of the graduates, on-stage presentations including awarding of diplomas, and speakers. You can order your DVD by visiting Kitay Productions, Inc.’s website.

 

Carmen Ortiz’s Remarks

About Ms. Ortiz

Ms. Ortiz was nominated by President Barack Obama as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2009. She is the first Hispanic and the first woman to represent Massachusetts as US Attorney. She oversees the work of more than 200 attorneys and support staff in Boston, Worcester and Springfield.

In 2010, Ms. Ortiz implemented the District’s first civil rights initiative, aimed at reinvigorating enforcement efforts of federal civil rights laws and increasing visibility among affected communities through extensive community outreach efforts. During her tenure, Ms. Ortiz has overseen the criminal prosecution of corrupt Massachusetts Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, infamous gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, and the trial of convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Additionally, she has led the District of Massachusetts to some of the largest settlements in US history, including that of health care giant GlaxoSmithKline. Ms. Ortiz served as the Co-Chair of the Attorney General’s Healthcare Fraud Working Group for over five years and is a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee’s (AGAC) subcommittees on Civil Rights, White Collar Crime and Cyber Crimes.

 

Diana Mazloum (LLM in American Law) delivers LLM student address

“Thank you for helping me find my place in this spectacular blend. Thank you for disregarding any political ideology your nations go by, and for coming here as independent individuals. We are living proof that a global understanding is possible and that peace will prevail.”

 

Ryan Melvin delivers JD student address

“I came to law school expecting to keep my head down and work, work, work. Instead, I leave today having developed relationships that will last a lifetime. We have studied, we have socialized, and we have challenged each other every day to become better students, better people, and after that test I mentioned earlier, better lawyers.”

 

Awards & prizes

Sebastian Horsten Prize for Academic Achievement, to the LLM in American Law student who has achieved the highest cumulative average in the Class of 2016: Federica Rigato

American Law Outstanding Achievement Award, for excellence in academic achievement, honorable conduct and contributions to the class: Choy Wai Kit Victor

Graduate Tax Program Academic Achievement Award, for the highest cumulative average in the Class of 2016: Nathan Wadlinger

Ernest M. Haddad Award, to the graduating Graduate Tax Program student who best exhibits overall ability, taking into consideration academic achievement, character, and potential to serve the public interest: Andrew Lorenz

A. John Serino Outstanding Graduate Banking and Financial Law Student Prize, for overall performance, in terms of academic achievement and dedication to the highest standards of scholarship and service: Katherine Rueda Chavez

Dennis S. Aronowitz Award for Academic Excellence in Banking and Financial Law, for the highest cumulative average in the Class of 2016: Brian William Fischer

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Faculty Award for Academic Accomplishment, for the most scholarly progress in the third year: Emily Anne Houde

William L. and Lillian Berger Achievement Prizes, for exemplary scholastic achievement: Caroline Beth Galiatsos and Jasmine Jade Haddad

Faculty Awards for Community Service, for exceptional dedication to the ideals of community service: Alexandra Maureen McGowan Tucker

Peter Bennett Prize, to the graduating third-year J.D. law student receiving the highest grade point average for that year: Emma Wright

Spencer R. Koch Memorial Awards, for outstanding contributions to achieving the goals of the Esdaile Alumni Center through alumni outreach: Timothy J. Murphy and Alexandra Maureen McGowan Tucker

Honorable Albert P. Pettoruto Memorial Award, for excellence in the field of probate or family law: Ashley M. Paquin

Melville M. Bigelow Scholarship Awards, to members of the graduating class who show the greatest promise as scholars and teachers in law: Michael Anthony DiMaio and Jessica Ellen Lees

Warren S. Gilford Humanity and Law Prizes, to students who shows humanitarian interest in law, primarily by taking jobs in the public sector after graduation: Corrylee Robben Drozda and Brittany A. Kerr

Alumni Academic Achievement Award, for the highest cumulative average in the three-year program of law study: Emma Wright

Sylvia Beinecke Robinson Awards, for significant contributions to the life of the School of Law: Jaime Beth Margolis and Timothy J. Murphy

Dr. John Ordronaux Prize, awarded to a member of the graduating class for the most exemplary academic performance and leadership: Sabina Mariella

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Michael Melton Award for Excellence in Teaching is named for a longtime faculty member who taught in the tax area and was director of the Graduate Tax Program, who died in 1999 at 53: Stacey Dogan

Part-Time Faculty Teaching Award, in recognition of the outstanding teaching of BU Law’s part time-faculty: Judge William G. Young