Touro Law Celebrates 35th Annual Commencement
“We must use our new law degree to make a difference."
May 24, 2017
Media Contact
Patti Desrochers
Director of Communications
pattid@tourolaw.edu
(631) 761-7062
Touro Law held its 35th annual commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, honoring 162 J.D. candidates, including 27 who completed their degree requirements in December 2016, as well as 5 graduates from the LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies program, 3 of whom completed their studies in December 2016. Additionally, this was the first commencement to include a class from the new 2-year J.D. Honors Program.
Graduates were welcomed and congratulated by Dr. Alan Kadish, President and CEO of Touro College and University System as well as Touro Law Dean Harry Ballan, Associate Dean Rodger Citron and Touro Provost and former law school dean Patricia Salkin. Dean Ballan reminded graduates of the calling that drew them to the legal field and welcomed them to the profession of law.
Full-time division valedictorian Jessica Vogele reflected on her law school experience. “I expect that each and every graduate who walks out of these doors today will do incredible things with the law license that is granted to them because that is who a Touro Law graduate is.” She added, “We value cooperation over cutthroat competition. We raise each other up instead of tearing each other down. We are not just classmates and colleagues, we are friends who value and respect one another. I think this cooperation and teamwork will make us more valuable in the legal community.”
Part-time division valedictorian Erin Dunn echoed those sentiments and offered some advice to her fellow graduates: “We must use our new law degree to make a difference, stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves, be a voice for those who are speechless and fight for those who are in need.”
Commencement speaker, the Hon. Joseph Crowley, U.S. Representative, 14th District of New York and Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus offered advice to the graduates as well. “In higher education it’s called commencement, because it isn’t seen as the end of your education. Rather it is seen as the beginning of putting your education to use. You should all be very proud of your accomplishments.” He continued, “I hope you engage with the world around you in the issues and vital debates of today.”
The Hon. Crowley was also presented with an honorary degree from Dean Harry Ballan and President Alan Kadish.
XXX
Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law is located adjacent to both a state and a federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York. Touro Law’s proximity to the courthouses, coupled with programming developed to integrate the courtroom into the classroom, provide a one-of-a kind learning experience for law students, combining a rigorous curriculum taught by expert faculty with a practical courtroom experience. Touro Law is dedicated to providing hands-on learning that enables students to gain experience while offering much-needed legal services in the community.
Touro Law, which has an alumni base of more than 6,000, offers full- and part-time J.D. programs where students can earn a degree in 2, 3, 4 or 5 years and provides four areas of concentration. Touro Law offers several dual degree programs and graduate law programs for US and foreign law graduates, including a new online LL.M. in Aging & Longevity Law. Touro Law Center is part of the Touro College system.
About the Touro College and University System
Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 18,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has 30 campuses and locations in New York, California, Nevada, Berlin, Jerusalem and Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and Touro University Nevada; Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Ill. are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: www.touro.edu/news.
