South Texas College of Law Houston celebrated 235 graduates Saturday, presenting them Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degrees at the George R. Brown Convention Center and welcoming them into the law school’s powerful alumni network.
President and Dean Reynaldo Anaya Valencia hosted the special event, acknowledging the board and special guests, recognizing the exceptional faculty, and introducing valedictorian Ryanne Jaroudi ’26.
Jaroudi, who earned the highest grade in four classes her first year of law school despite surgery for a brain tumor, described her South Texas Law experience as “intense.” She remained laser-focused on her goal of earning her J.D. and making a difference in people’s lives, graduating with the highest grade point average in her class.
“Class of 2026, we made it through something genuinely hard,” she said. “The world does not need lawyers who will play it safe and stay in their comfort zones. We reach our full potential at the end of our comfort zones. The world needs bold lawyers who will fight for justice for their clients. The world needs us.”
Marchion “Marc” Wynne II, president of the Student Bar Association and national advocacy champion, brought greetings from the student body and presented a class gift to Dean Valencia. He encouraged his classmates to follow their hearts and to enjoy the journey as they pursue their meaningful careers in the law.
Alumni Association President Alex Gonzalez ’12 gave students three important pieces of advice. First, “you belong here. None of this was given to you; you earned it. And when you walk into that conference room or courtroom, do so with confidence.” Second, “take care of yourselves. Our profession is incredibly demanding. Do things that fill your cup so you can show up as your best self at work and for your family.”
And third, Gonzalez said, “Give back. There is no such thing as ‘self-made.’ You are here because of the time and energy others poured into you – teachers, coaches, family members who told you, ‘Yes, you can.’ So when you go into your careers and lives, I encourage you to come back to the law school; this is your home now. Coach, mentor, support, volunteer. We all received so much from South Texas Law, and it is our time to pay it forward.”
Commencement speaker Augustin “Augie” Rivera, Jr., chair of the Texas Board of Law Examiners and general counsel for the Del Mar Community College District in Corpus Christi, praised the law school’s programs focused on mock and moot trial, legal clinics, dispute resolution, and bar prep, as well as the important work of the Agosto Justice Center for Leadership and Empowerment.
He noted that he has known many South Texas Law graduates, and they were “well-prepared, among the best in the world, and have gone on to be great judges and lawyers.”
Rivera noted our legal system exists “to ensure that the powerless can co-exist with the powerful in this country… with human dignity, justice, empowerment, and fairness to all.” Unfortunately, he said, many situations occurring today do not represent the best of that system, nor do they feel humane.
“Where is the humanity in the law?” Rivera asked the graduates. “In you. Statutes, rules, and judicial precedents remain inert until you apply them to a real situation with a real client. It’s on you to care about your work – not just the quality but the integrity of what you do. Unless you realize the potential human impact in all the work you do, you risk leaving humanity out of the work that you do… and you end up with 10-year-olds representing themselves in court.”
Rivera noted that “the character of our society is not measured by how we treat the rich and respected. It is measured by how we treat the poor, disfavored, incarcerated, and condemned. To the class of 2026, you are the humanity of the law. I see what the future looks like right in front of me, and it looks great.”
Friends and family can watch the full recorded ceremony at stcl.edu/commencement.
