During Saturday’s commencement ceremony recognizing 238 South Texas College of Law Houston students receiving J.D. degrees, speakers challenged the aspiring attorneys to run their own race, to stand as a bulwark against injustice, and to leave room for risk-taking as they build their careers.
Family members and friends packed a large auditorium at the George R. Brown Convention Center, cheering on the graduates.
Interim President and Dean Jeff Rensberger welcomed the graduates into “the distinguished ranks of our profession,” encouraging them to combine the great potential for their future they have gained through law school with hard work and dedication.
Rensberger will transition to retirement this summer after four decades of service to South Texas Law, and on behalf of the board of directors, Board Chair Genora Boykins ’85 encouraged the students and their guests to thank him for “job very well done.” They responded with enthusiastic applause.
Class valedictorian Morgan Cuenod called on his classmates to stand as a “bulwark against tyranny and injustice” as they pursue their legal careers. “As attorneys, we will have an incredible opportunity to impact society for good or ill,” he said. “And each of us must decide whether we will serve others or ourselves. May we be known by the love and light we spread.”
This year’s Student Bar Association President Emily Blanco noted the strong bond of this class, and she thanked all her fellow SBA officers and study group classmates for supporting her in the journey to graduation. She also thanked her parents in a heartfelt moment, letting them know she would spend the rest of her life “trying to be just like y’all.”
The commencement speaker, Chief Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, described her many meaningful connections to South Texas Law built over many years. She encouraged the graduates to intentionally build professional relationships, reminding them that “life is long, and the Houston legal community is small. How you treat people matters.”
Elrod also noted that the key to success is failure, explaining that failure builds resilience and helps high-achieving individuals realize they don’t always have to play it safe.
She concluded with an exhortation to the class. “As our newest attorneys, you have a responsibility to support judicial independence,” Elrod said. “Indeed, the rule of law itself is depending on you.”
The graduates were officially welcomed into the South Texas Alumni Association by the group’s new President Alex Gonzalez ’12. He encouraged them to run their own race, to take care of themselves, and to define success in broader ways than large salaries or fancy cars. “Find something you are passionate about and that challenges you every day,” he said.
In conclusion, he noted, “South Texas Law is your home and my home, and it has nurtured us and helped us grow. I encourage you, in future years, to pay it forward.”
The video of the full commencement ceremony will be available at stcl.edu/commencement.
