FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 13, 2021
CONTACT: Chrissy Holman, CUNY LAW
PHONE: 718.340.4164
EMAIL: communications@law.cuny.edu
#1 Public Interest Law School Delivers the Next Generation of Social Justice Advocates to the Legal Profession
NEW YORK (May 13, 2021): On Friday May 14, The City University of New York School of Law will see Juris Doctorates conferred to 189 students in a virtual ceremony. Prepared by the Law School’s top-ranking clinical program and racial justice imperatives, the new graduates will continue to serve and advocate on behalf of their communities, from pandemic response to advancing The Black Lives Matter Movement. The Class of 2021 fully embodies the School’s mission of law in the service of human needs and enters the legal profession during a time when their social justice expertise is most vital.
The Reverend Dr. William Barber II will deliver the Commencement Address and be awarded a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, for his intrepid work as a social justice advocate in service of human needs. His work for equality provides a faith-based, civic-engagement strengthening framework for action that inspires the country to imagine a more just and equitable society. His creation of a grassroots movement that is grounded in the moral tenets of both faith-based communities and the constitution has expanded his work on voting rights, health care, living wages, public education, and LGBTQ2IA+ rights.
The Class of 2021 nominated Hina Naveed ’21 and Elisabeth Bernard ’21 to deliver the student addresses, Associate Professor Fareed Nassor Hayat to give the faculty address, Stephanie McGregor to receive the Community Service Award, and Cesar Vargas ’11 to receive the Distinguished Public Interest Leader Award. The nominees will be recognized for their work, which has positively impacted students’ legal educations and practices during extraordinary circumstances. This celebration recognizes the many contributions of students, faculty, alumni, and staff who have collaborated on diversifying the legal education and using law as a tool for social change.
The City University of New York School of Law is the nation’s premier public interest law school driven by a dual mission: to increase access to legal education and diversify the legal profession and to prepare its graduates to be social justice lawyers. Opened in 1983, New York City’s only public law school offers full- and part-time programs, dual degree options, and the Pipeline to Justice Program.
The City University of New York is the nation’s leading urban public university. CUNY students, alumni, and faculty garner scores of prestigious in recognition of their historic contributions to the advancement of the sciences, business, the arts, and myriad other fields. The University comprises 25 institutions and serves more than 275,000 degree-seeking students.
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