Georgetown Law Graduation 2008
Oyez, oyez, oyez . . . Over the course of the past three years, learned professors at Georgetown University Law Center have continued the time-honored tradition of prying answers to practical problems, theoretical issues, and increasingly bizarre scenarios from the scrappy crew of students — including me — seated far beneath them in lecture halls. The 209th “commencement court” of Georgetown Law rendered its decision on May 18, 2008 and conferred upon me the legally recognized degree of Juris Doctor (J.D.), cum laude, with honors. I also received the Dean’s Certificate for special and outstanding service to the university. See photos of georgetown law graduating class and the class photo of the LLM graduates.
Georgetown Law LLM Students of 2008
(Sorry, I do not have the J.D. students.)
The Last Exam and Supreme Court Justice John Marshall’s Toe
Upon submitting my last exam, I followed tradition and walked over to the U.S. Supreme Court to rub the shoe of the larger-than-life statue of former Supreme Court Justice John Marshall. Legend has it that rubbing the toe of Marshall’s boot will bring the lawyer luck. Marshall was the longest serving Supreme Court Justice in history and brought us the doctrine of judicial review, by which the judiciary can declare a legislative act unconstitutional.
Graduation Gala
The black-tie graduation gala was held the night before graduation in the National Building Museum, built in the late 1800s as a fireproof building for the Pension Bureau and as a grand hall for social functions. Its interior “Grand Hall” showcases Corinthian columns, sweeping ceilings, and huge fountains. Directly outside the building is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, which was decorated with wreaths for National Police Week 2008.
Graduation Ceremony
Graduation, on Sunday, May 18, 2008, could not be dampened by the dire forecasts of torrential downpours, cloud-to-ground lightning, and dark skies –– not with the love and support of my family brightening the day. Originally, graduation was supposed to be outdoors but was moved to the practice gymnasium for the Georgetown basketball team – Go Hoyas!.
According to my date, I looked strikingly like a character in a Harry Potter novel. The gown was blue with purple velvet, three stripes on the sleeve, and two buttons with the Georgetown 1789 insignia. The hood had black cotton, purple velvet (for law), and a pale pink satin interior. A purple tassel topped the black velvet 8-sided tam. If only one could look at the criminals and evil-doers and say, “Expelliarmus!”
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
Graduation Dinner
The family graduation dinner was on the waterfront in Georgetown at Tony and Joe’s, a seafood restaurant known for its prime location with beautiful views of the Potomac River, Kennedy Center, the Key Bridge, and Roosevelt Island. The skies cleared for a small stroll along the river as the sun was setting beyond Jack’s Boathouse, operating since 1945 and located almost under the Key Bridge.
Next, as my wise sister advises, I’ll “hitch my wagon to a star” and look for that dream job using the law to promote private welfare, the public good, human rights, and a sense of justice.
With many thanks for the love and support of family and friends worldwide,
– Renee Dopplick, J.D., cum laude
May peace and the rule of law carry the day, every day!
Georgetown University Law Center Official Resources
- Georgetown University Law Center (GULC)
- Georgetown University Law Center, Commencement Information (updated annually)
- Georgetown University Law Center, Main Ceremony (audio, video)
- Georgetown University Law Center, Main Ceremony, Commencement Speaker, Joel I. Klein (full text)
From Graduating Students . . .
- GUCL Commencement Photos
- Andrew Doss, Section 2, Georgetown Law Commencement Speech
- Erika, Section 4, Georgetown Law Commencement Speech
Prior Georgetown Law Graduations