two thousand twenty-three
the knapp center — des moines, iowa
The One Hundred and Fifty-Fourth Commencement of Drake University Law School
Friday Evening at Seven O’clock
May Twelfth, Two Thousand Twenty-Three
THE KNAPP CENTER — DES MOINES, IOWA
may twelfth, two thousand twenty-three, seven o’clock in the evening
academic processional ..................
welcome
national anthem .......................
remarks
commencement address
presentation of candidates
conferral of degrees and academic hoods
alumni welcome
concluding remarks
drake alma mater
academic recessional
Drake Brass Quintet
Jerry L. Anderson
Dean, Drake Law School
Emily Russell, 3l
Katrina Callahan, 3l
Marty Martin
President, Drake University
Katlyn Downs
President, Student Bar Association
2022–2023
The Honorable David May, Lw ’98
Justice, Iowa Supreme Court
Dean Anderson
President Martin
Sue J. Mattison, Provost
Dean Anderson
John D. Edwards, Associate Dean
Barbara Decker, LA ’72, GR ’73, LW ’00
President, Law School Board of Counselors
Dean Anderson
Emily Russell, 3l
Katrina Callahan, 3l
Drake Brass Quintet
Justice May was appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court in July 2022. He was appointed to the Iowa Court of Appeals in April 2019 and appointed as a district judge in Judicial Election District 5C in February 2016. Justice May previously practiced law with Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave, P.C., in Des Moines. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia, his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and his law degree from Drake University Law School.
MARSHALS OF THE UNIVERSITY
Allan Vestal Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law2023 Leland Stanford Forrest Outstanding Professor Award Recipient
Chantry Noel
President, Student Bar Association 2023–2024Candidates Presented by Dean Jerry L. Anderson
juris doctor
Michael Emanuel Altes
Bryce Arbour
Clara R. Avenarius
Benjamin Michael Barrett
Tanner James Berger
Victoria Lynn Biggerstaff
Jacob Sandee Blackford
Alexxa Catherine Blair
Erin Maureen Boggess
Brandy Marie Bonecher
Elizabeth A. Boyer
Emma McShane Bradbury
Nathan Ryan Britton
Melissa S. Brown
Katrina M. Callahan
Samantha Marie Capaldo
Andrew Glenn Carlson
Keegan E. Cassady
Shelby Noel Clinging
Marcus Lee Coleman
Christian J. Crocker
Sean Cunningham
Marcos Eduardo Danielson
Kyle A. Dawson
Leah Claire Dodd
Dakotah Leigh Dorholt
Katlyn Brianna Downs
Danielle Ann Dunne
Brody Carl Egger
McKenzie J. Ellis
Abigayle June Endress
Charles E. Forney
Thomas William Fox
Rachel Rose Fritz
Bryan M. Garner
Dariann Amira Garrison-Nickerson
Kelly Maybet Gaytan Torrijos
Ashley Lynn Griffin
Tyler James Haberman
Kathryn Leigh Hansen
Madeline Eileen Hartley
Brennan Hook
Zachary K. Hufferd
Erik Douglas Janss
Phillip F. Jose
Matthew Dillon Jacob Juhl
Wyatt B. Kaldenberg
Elijah Kane
Dakota Jane Keninger
Jacob M. Kiel
Cole Mitchel Krueger – Joint Degree MBA
Colin Jeffrey Lane
Adam Riley Lange
Cheyanne C. Lepird
Carlos Andres Lopez
Marissa Jeanne Miller
Nicole Man Yeng Miller
Anders Moklebust
Brandon Andres Nunez
Carlye Erika Diana Patterson
David Alexander Peck
Kole Izaac Pederson – Joint Degree MBA
Ryan W. Pell
Brandon Michael Pettit
Jessica Marie Phipps – Joint Degree MBA
Caleb Andrew Piersma
Justin James Putney
Renee Lynn Redmond
Justin Taylor Reid
Courtney Elizabeth Clapper Ringhofer
Kadison B. Roberts
Averey Marie Ruble
Emily Rose Russell
Nicholas A. Sailer
Shane Marius Salwasser
Joseph Patrick Schneiders
Ashlee A. Schuck
Jack Gunnar Schuler
Meagan Patricia Shanahan
Natalie Lynn Sherman
Paul Charles Siciliano, III
Kathryn Ann Smith
Gloria Joanna Soto
Kimberly Ann Stephens
Seth Harrison Strahan
Endylion Lace Strohman
Morgan Rae Todd
Elijah Atticus Tornow
Diana Vazquez Ayala
Elsie Villega
Derrick Lynn Wade
Sydnee Mae Waggoner
Tate Nathan Walker – Joint Degree MPA
Nathan David Wegmann
Kolby Michael Whisner
Akosua S. Wiafe
Mark J. Willie
Kevin S. Wyatt
master of jurisprudence
Moriah Renner Baber
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Kelly Marie Carnes
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Thomson Jordan Coffey
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Hailie Rae Enneking
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Emmanuel Frimpong
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Joseph G. Hrdlicka
M.J., Individualized Legal Studies
Nichole Michelle Jefferson
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Andrew Johnson
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Joseph Anthony Pirtle
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Michael Thomas Ryan
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Ashley Randi Sebaaly
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Jimmie Shields III
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Terica C. Smith
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Brooke Logan Stinson
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Erin Leigh Wagner
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
Matthew N. Wandell
M.J., Compliance and Risk Management
the following 2022–2023 law school graduates participated in the december 17, 2022, commencement ceremony:
juris doctor
Joshua E. Brelje
Ian Joseph Buchwald
Matthew Kent Gedlinske
Steffi Shiang Lee Dwyer
Larissa Paige Mrasek
Bryce W. Tish
master of jurisprudence
Kirsten Coreen Cameron
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Christina Jo Christensen
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Mark William Elliott
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Ebony Jaide Habben
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Stephanie Lynn Pryor
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Ryan Joseph Roberts
M.J., Individual Legal Studies
Ashley Marie Salmon
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Brent Gengler Starbird
M.J., Compliance & Risk Management
Erin Maureen Boggess
Brandy Marie Bonecher
Danielle Ann Dunne
Brody Carl Egger
Adam Riley Lange
Caleb Andrew Piersma
Renee Lynn Redmond
Kadison B. Roberts
Tate Nathan Walker
Nathan D. Wegmann
Bryce Arbour
Victoria Lynn Biggerstaff
Jacob Sandee Blackford
Kyle A. Dawson
Rachel Rose Fritz
Madeline Eileen Hartley
Brennan Hook
Erik Douglas Janss
Dakota Jane Keninger
Nicole Man Yeng Miller
Carlye Erika Diana Patterson
Justin Taylor Reid
Nicholas A. Sailer
Natalie Lynn Sherman
Gloria Joanna Soto
Tanner James Berger
Alexxa Catherine Blair
Elizabeth A. Boyer
Katrina M. Callahan
Keegan E. Cassady
Shelby Noel Clinging
Christian J. Crocker
Marcos Eduardo Danielson
Dakotah Leigh Dorholt
Abigayle June Endress
Charles E. Forney
Thomas William Fox
Ashley Lynn Griffin
Tyler J. Haberman
Kathryn Leigh Hansen
Zachary K. Hufferd
Phillip F. Jose
Cole Mitchel Krueger
Colin Jeffrey Lane
Carlos Andres Lopez
David Alexander Peck
Kole Izaac Pederson
Justin James Putney
Courtney Elizabeth
Clapper Ringhofer
Ashlee A. Schuck
Kimberly Ann Stephens
Seth Harrison Strahan
Endylion Lace Strohman
Elijah Atticus Tornow
Sydnee Mae Waggoner
Kolby Michael Whisner
Kevin S. Wyatt
* The degree may be conferred with “Highest Honors” upon a student who graduates in the top 10 of their graduating class, with “High Honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.5 or above, but is not included in the top 10, and with “Honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.25 to 3.49. A degree may be conferred “with honors” upon a student only if that student’s final cumulative grade point average places him or her in the top 40 percent of his or her class. The honors designations in the program are based upon grades earned through the Fall 2022 semester, without regard to the top 40 percent requirement and are subject to change based upon grades earned thereafter. This commencement program, therefore, does not constitute an official list of confirmed graduates or confirmed academic honors for the May 12, 2023, commencement at Drake University. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not signify that degrees and academic honors have been awarded unless all pertinent academic requirements have been met.
academic program certificates **
business law certificate
Benjamin Michael Barrett
Jacob Sandee Blackford
Erin Maureen Boggess
Emma McShane Bradbury
Marcos Eduardo Danielson
Thomas William Fox
Kelly Maybet Gaytan Torrijos
Zachary K. Hufferd
Erik Douglas Janss
Wyatt B. Kaldenberg
Cole Mitchel Krueger
Nicole Man Yeng Miller
Carlye Erika Diana Patterson
Kole Izaac Pederson
Brandon Michael Pettit
Averey Marie Ruble
Nicholas A. Sailer
Joseph Patrick Schneiders
Kathryn Ann Smith
Elijah Atticus Tornow
Tate Nathan Walker
Nathan D. Wegmann
civil litigation and dispute resolution certificate
Morgan Rae Todd
constitutional law and civil rights certificate
Michael Emanuel Altes
Averey Marie Ruble Derrick Lynn Wade
food and agricultural law certificate
Samantha Marie Capaldo
Keegan E. Cassady
Abigayle June Endress
Kole Izaac Pederson
intellectual property law certificate
Jacob Sandee Blackford
Courtney Elizabeth
Clapper Ringhofer
Joseph Patrick Schneiders
Akosua S. Wiafe
legislative practice certificate
Michael Emanuel Altes
Katrina M. Callahan
Samantha Marie Capaldo
Kathryn Leigh Hansen
David Alexander Peck
Kole Izaac Pederson
Ryan W. Pell
Emily Rose Russell
Natalie Lynn Sherman
Kevin S. Wyatt
prosecution and defense certificate
Clara R. Avenarius
Katlyn Brianna Downs
Brandon Andres Nunez
Justin James Putney
Kadison B. Roberts
Mark J. Willie
public service certificate
Clara R. Avenarius
Alexxa Catherine Blair
Emma McShane Bradbury
Leah Claire Dodd
Dariann Amira
Garrison-Nickerson
Dakota Jane Keninger
Kole Izaac Pederson
Ryan W. Pell
Jessica Marie Phipps
Caleb Andrew Piersma
Averey Marie Ruble
Ashlee A. Schuck
Jack Gunnar Schuler
Natalie Lynn Sherman
Gloria Joanna Soto
Derrick Lynn Wade
Akosua S. Wiafe
social justice and public interest lawyering certificate
Clara R. Avenarius
Dariann Amira
Garrison-Nickerson
Averey Marie Ruble
Jack Gunnar Schuler
Natalie Lynn Sherman
Derrick Lynn Wade
** Students who complete a required set of courses and internships receive a certificate recognizing their area of specialization.
administration
Marty Martin, B.A., J.D., LL.M., President of the University
Jerry L. Anderson, B.S., J.D., Dean and Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law
Erin C. Lain, B.A., J.D., Ph.D., Associate Dean and Professor of Law
John D. Edwards, B.A., J.D., M.A.L.S., Associate Dean for Information Resources and Technology, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Law
Erin Lee Schneider, B.A., J.D., Assistant Dean for Student Services
Elizabeth Battles, B.A., J.D., Director of Academic Success
J. Kara Blanchard, B.S., M.S., Assistant Dean for Admission and Financial Aid
Matt Johnson, B.S., B.S.B.A., M.P.A., Ph.D., Director of Admission and Financial Aid
Brianna Leistikow, B.A., Assistant Director of Admission and Diversity Initiatives
Kathryn Overberg, B.A., J.D., Director of Career Development
Carole Tillotson, B.S., J.D., Associate Director of Career Development
Amy Cutler, B.A., M.A., Continuing Legal Education and Legal Clinic Coordinator
Susan Dittmer, A.A., Budget and Office Manager
Theresa Howard, B.A., M.A., Director of Communication, Alumni Relations and Special Events
Thomas Smith, B.B.A., M.A., M.B.A., Senior Advancement Officer
faculty
James A. Albert, B.F.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Hon. Brent Appel (Ret.), B.A., J.D., Distinguished Lecturer and Jurist in Residence
Hon. Mark W. Bennett (Ret.), B.A., J.D., Director of the Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation
Alexandra Brennan, B.A., J.D., Reference and Instruction Librarian and Instructor of Law Librarianship
Hunter R. Clark, A.B., J.D., Professor of Law
Erica Nichols Cook, B.A., J.D., Director of the Wrongful Convictions Clinic and Clinician in Residence
Steven Foritano, B.A., J.D., Practitioner in Residence
Sally B. Frank, A.B., MAT/CLE, J.D., Professor of Law
Anthony J. Gaughan, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., J.D., Kern Family Chair in Law and Professor of Law
David B. Hanson, B.A., M.A.L.S., Collection Management and Metadata Librarian and Associate Professor of Law Librarianship
Andrew W. Jurs, B.A., J.D., Clemens J. Smith Faculty Research Scholar and Professor of Law
Mark S. Kende, B.A., J.D., James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law, Director of the Constitutional Law Center and Professor of Law
Jeremy Kidd, B.A., Ph.D., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Rebecca A. Lutkenhaus, B.A., M.A., J.D., Reference and Instruction Librarian and Professor of Law Librarianship
Natalie Banta Lynner, B.S., J.D., Professor of Law
Allison McCarthy, B.A., J.D., Clinical Teaching Fellow
Keith C. Miller, B.A., J.D., LL.M., Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Law
Nickole Miller, B.A., J.D., Director of the Middleton Children’s Rights Center and Assistant Professor of Law
Suzan M. Pritchett, B.A., M.A., J.D., Director of Clinical and Experiential Programs and Professor of Law
Robert R. Rigg, B.A., J.D., Director of the Criminal Defense Program and Clinical Professor
Nick H. Roby, B.S., J.D., Director of the Entrepreneurial/Transactional Clinic and Clinical Professor of Law
Joe Schomberg, B.A., J.D., Assistant Professor of Law
Miguel Schor, B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Danielle M. Shelton, B.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Julie A. Smith, B.A., J.D., Director of the Legislative Practice Center and Assistant Professor of Law
Julia Steggerda-Corey, B.A., J.D., LL.M., Director of the Compliance and Risk Management Program and Instructor of Law
Allan W. Vestal, B.A., J.D., Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law
Karen L. Wallace, B.A., M.A., Circulation/Reference Librarian and Professor of Law Librarianship
Melissa H. Weresh, B.A., J.D., Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law
Ellen L. Yee, B.A., J.D., Director of International Programs and Professor of Law
Jennifer Zwagerman, B.S., J.D., LL.M., Director of the Agricultural Law Center and Associate Professor of Law
faculty emeriti
James A. Adams, A.B., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Andrea S. Charlow, A.B., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Laurie Kratky Doré, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Matthew G. Doré, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Neil D. Hamilton, B.S., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Robert C. Hunter, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Suzanne J. Levitt, A.B., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Russell E. Lovell II, B.B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
David E. McCord, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
James R. Monroe, B.A., M.B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Daniel L. Power, B.S., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Maura I. Strassberg, B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
David S. Walker, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Julie A. Thomas Arthur E. Ryman, Jr. Librarian 1991-2019 Professor 1961-1995 Emeritus 2019-2022 Emeritus 1995-2023
Drake University and the Law School gratefully acknowledge the Law School Endowment Trust for its financial support of the Law School Commencement.
A reception will be held immediately following the Commencement Ceremony at the Courtside Club in Shivers Practice Facility. Refreshments will be provided. The graduates, their families and friends, alumni, faculty, staff, and other law students are cordially invited to attend the reception.
