DRAKE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
two thousand twenty-one the knapp center — des moines, iowa
The One Hundred and Fiftieth Commencement of Drake University Law School
Friday Evening at Seven O’clock May Fourteenth, Two Thousand Twenty-One
THE KNAPP CENTER — DES MOINES, IOWA
Dwight D. Opperman Hall and Law LibraryDwight D. Opperman Hall and Law Library
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THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH COMMENCEMENT OF DRAKE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL
Program may fourteenth, two thousand twenty-one, seven o’clock in the evening
academic processional. . welcome. .
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national anthem. . remarks.
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Drake Brass Quintet Jerry L. Anderson Dean, Drake Law School Amanda Connell, 3l
Marty Martin President, Drake University
Clarissa Davison President, Student Bar Association 2020–2021
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lieutenant General Russell C. Davis (Ret.)
commencement address. .
presentation of candidates. conferral of degrees and academic hoods. .
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President Martin Sue J. Mattison, Provost Dean Anderson
alumni welcome.
Dean Anderson
John D. Edwards, Associate Dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
concluding remarks. drake alma mater. .
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academic recessional.
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Gregory Wilcox, LW ’82 President, Law School Board of Counselors Dean Anderson Amanda Connell, 3l Drake Brass Quintet
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COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Lieutenant General Russell C. Davis, LW ‘69 (Ret.) Russell Davis was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1938. He began his military career in the U.S. Air Force in 1958 as an aviation cadet. Following pilot training, he was assigned at Lincoln Air Force Base and graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1963. After serving as a bomber pilot, he was released from active duty in 1965 and joined the Iowa Air National Guard as an interceptor pilot. He served in numerous command and staff positions from squadron pilot to Director of Operations and advanced through the ranks to Colonel. After earning his J.D. at Drake University Law School in 1969, he worked part-time in private practice while serving in the military and U.S. civil service. He also worked in corporate practice with a conglomerate insurance company from 1969-1977, starting out as a staff attorney and advancing to positions of vice president and general counsel. He graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in 1973 and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1979. He returned to active duty with the Air National Guard in 1979 and was appointed Chief of Manpower and Personnel at the Air National Guard Support Center, Andrews Air Force Base, in Maryland. From 1980 to 1982, he served as Executive Officer to the Director of the Air National Guard. From 1982 to 1990, he commanded the 113th Tactical Fighter Wing and was promoted to Brigadier General in 1982. Davis was the first African American to become a general officer in the Air National Guard. In 1989, Davis graduated from the National and International Security Management Course at Harvard University. He was the Assistant for National Guard Matters for the commander of the Tactical Air Command and was promoted to Major General in 1990. In 1991, Davis was appointed commander of the District of Columbia National Guard. He served in this position through 1995, at which time he was appointed Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau. He held this post until 1998 when he was named Chief of the National Guard Bureau and promoted to Lieutenant General. Davis was the first African American to serve as National Guard Bureau Chief, and he held the position until retiring in 2002. In recognition of his many accomplishments, Lieutenant General Davis will be receiving an honorary degree from Drake University this weekend.
MARSHALS OF THE UNIVERSITY
Anthony J. Gaughan Kern Family Chair in Law and Professor of Law 2021 Leland Stanford Forrest Outstanding Professor Award Recipient Derrick L. Wade Vice President, Student Bar Association 2021–2022
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drake university law school
Candidates Presented by Dean Jerry L. Anderson
juris doctor Allison Courtney Ray Ackerman B.A., Augustana College, 2018 Bradley J. Adams B.A., Iowa State University, 2015 Andrew Eric Anderson B.A., Simpson College, 2017 Zana Bajric B.A., Drake University, 2016 Ryan N. Benn B.S., American Institute of Business, 2015 Austin Michael Blom B.A., Central College, 2014 Rebecca Lynn Boyer B.A., Simpson College, 2018 Ebony Monique Breaux B.A., California State University, 2015 Travis Mikel Brenner B.S.B.A., Drake University, 2017 M.B.A., Drake University, 2021 Adam Edward Brewster B.S., Southern Nazarene University, 2011 LL.M., Drake University, 2021 Logan Spencer Brundage B.A., Duke University, 2016 Rachel Marie Bruns B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2017 Haley N. Bryan B.A., University of South Dakota, 2018 Alysun Marie Bulver B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 B.S., Iowa State University, 2017 Clark J. Butler B.A., Dakota Wesleyan University, 2018 Amanda M. Connell B.A., McPherson College, 2018 Cameo L. Cott B.A., Drake University, 2005 Timothy M. Cullen B.A., Lawrence University, 2008 Clarissa R. Davison B.A., Drake University, 2017 M.S., Drake University, 2021 Austin Robert Decker B.A., Lehigh University, 2016 M.B.A., Drake University, 2021 Isaac Jeremiah DeFord B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 Natalie Anne deRegnier B.A., Grand View University, 2010 Joshua Len Dewald B.A., Iowa State University, 2018 Alex Scott Dornacker B.A., University of Iowa, 2018 Johnathan Brett DuBois B.A., University of Iowa, 2018 Kara Jo Eischen B.A., Simpson College, 2017
David A. Ernst B.A., Texas Tech University, 2017 Erica A. Feldhake B.A., University of Illinois - Springfield, 2017 Michael J. Fitzpatrick B.A., Marycrest International University, 1992 M.J., Drake University, 2019 Cole Michael Foster B.A., Central College, 2018 Jordan Holland Fox B.A., Central College, 2017 Ethan G. Freedman B.A., Colorado State University, 2014 Katelyn Anne Gatzke B.A., Central College, 2017 John David Gilbertson B.A., Berklee College of Music, 2017 Alex James Gilmore B.A., Wartburg College, 2015 Jacques-Christophe Kanze Goavec B.A., Drake University, 2016 Patrick Michael Gray B.A., Minnesota State University - Moorhead, 2018 Emma Christine Grotting B.S., Iowa State University, 2018 Megan Marie Hall B.S., Mount Mercy University, 2016 Katherine Digman Hamilton B.B.A., Mount Mercy University, 2017 Frederic Charles Hayer B.B.A., University of Iowa, 2016 Timothy G. Higdon B.A., Graceland University, 2012 Andrea Margaret Hoyt Pharm.D., Drake University, 2019 M.P.A., Drake University, 2021 Shang-en Brian Huang B.B.A., University of Houston, 2013 Joshua David Hughes B.A., Drake University, 2019 Blake E. Huser B.S.B.A., Drake University, 2016 Sierra Paige Iversen B.S., Chaminade University of Honolulu, 2016 Nathaniel Clay Jackson B.A., Bradley University, 2018 Dominique Lucianne Johnson B.A., Bennett College, 2015 Mariah Marie Kauder B.A., Drake University, 2016 Adam L. Kiel B.S.B.A., Drake University, 2016 Chelsey Mary Knapp B.S., University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2016 Erik Clark Kolsrud B.A., University of Arizona, 2018
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Joshua J. Krank B.S., North Dakota State University, 2017 Tristan Michael Kretsch B.S., University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2018 Quinn Gertrude Arlene Le Frois B.S., University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2016 Sierra Lynn Leeds B.S., Iowa State University, 2018 Kathryn Anne Leidahl B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 M.B.A., Drake University, 2021 Katherine A. Luzier B.S., Iowa State University, 2017 Ashley R. Madsen B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2018 Shawna Marie Massow B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2013 Samuel Allen McMichael B.A., Wartburg College, 2018 Andrew Jonathan Cassel Meyer B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 Dana Renee’ Minteer B.A., Drake University, 2019 Alexander Todd Mitchell B.A., Flagler College, 2017 Ahsan Mujeeb B.A., University of Iowa, 2016 Michael James Mulert B.B.A., University of Dubuque, 2014 Adam J. Naset B.A., Grand View University, 2016 Anna Mary Olsen B.S., Iowa State University, 2016 Meghan Colleen O’Meara B.S., Iowa State University, 2017 Grant Robert Ostby B.A., Michigan State University, 2018 Jill M. Osterhaus B.A., Drake University, 2015 Sharayah Danielle Owens B.A., Coe College, 2017 Adam James Palmersheim B.A., Central College, 2008 Bharabi Pandit B.S., University of Iowa, 2017 Anthony C. Pawnell, Jr. B.A., Drake University, 2017 Austin Michael Poock B.S., Iowa State University, 2018 Andrea Rae Pyburn B.A., University of Iowa, 2015 Ricardo Marcelo Ramirez-Fernandez B.B.A., University of Texas - Pan America, 2017 M.P.A., Drake University 2021
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Rachel Marie Reinke B.S., Iowa State University, 2018 Baylee Lyann Reinstein B.S., Colorado State University, 2018 Alma Griselda Reyes Ramirez B.A., Iowa State University, 2018 Eric Christopher Richetti B.S., Boise State University, 2016 Noah H. Ridgway B.A., Bethel University, 2018 Kristin E. Rouse B.A., University of Iowa, 2016 Colton Paul Schnepf B.A., Drake University, 2018 Ryan Douglas Smith B.A., Iowa State University, 1995 M.B.A., Globe University - Minneapolis, 2009 Julie Solis-Alvarado B.A., Drake University, 2011 Margaret Louise Standish-Bruce B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 Elaina Joy Steenson B.M., Drake University, 2017 Tyler Robert Stepp B.A., Mount Mercy University, 2016 Brayden Harley Sternklar B.S., Bradley University, 2018 Stella Maris Strohman B.S., Iowa State University, 2018 Caitlin Harte Suttie B.S., United States Air Force Academy, 2010 John H. Syverud B.B.A., University of Iowa, 2017 Charles Ralph William Turner B.A., Drake University, 2018 Jansen J. Van Daalwyk B.A., Saint Olaf College, 2018 Nicole Renee Votroubek B.A., Coe College, 2018 Catrina J. Waite B.A., Columbia College, 2018 Sophia Margaret Berkley Wanek B.A., DePaul University, 2017 Hannah Catherine Welch B.B.A., University of Iowa, 2016 Brennan Eugene Wells B.A., Prairie View A&M University, 2016 Lauren Ashley Whitt B.A., Buena Vista University, 2013 Maddison Audrey Elizabeth Wood B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2017 Carter Abraham Wright B.S., Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, 2018
master of laws Adam Edward Brewster B.S., Southern Nazarene University, 2011 J.D., Drake University, 2021
master of jurisprudence Kristin Elizabeth Barber B.S., Grandview University, 2010 Melissa Marie Bass B.A., Grandview University, 2007 Thomas Baumhover B.A., University of Iowa, 2013 Jesse Steven Boyens B.A., Upper Iowa University, 2002 Lisa Marie Brown B.S., University of Mary, 1989 Diana Christine Carlson B.S.B.A., Drake University, 2007 Michael La Ronn Elliott B.S., Simpson College, 2010 Melanie Patricia Fegter B.A., University of Iowa, 2014 Shirley J. Gaines B.S., Bellevue University, 2004 Wei Huang M.Acc., Western Illinois University, 2004 Jodi L. Hugdahl B.A., Saint Olaf College, 1997 Jami Danielle Little B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2005 M.P.A., Drake University, 2016 Shawn Taylor McClain B.A., Buena Vista University, 2013 M.B.A., Ashford University, 2016 Peter V. Medina B.A., Simpson College, 2003 M.A., William Penn University, 2010
Jennifer Lee Nelsen B.A., Simpson College, 2003 Dawn Marie Osmonson Sturm B.S., Iowa State University, 2002 Amy Jean Palmer B.A., Iowa State University, 2015 M.B.A., Drake University, 2019 Gregory Murray Patterson B.A., University of Iowa, 2019 Kimberly Anne Pierson B.A., Friends University, 2014 B.S., Friends University, 2014 Renee Hensley Pile B.S., Upper Iowa University, 2004 M.A., University of Illinois, 2020 Shannon Pogones B.A., Grand View University, 2003 Abigail Elizabeth Rourke B.A., Simpson College, 2016 Selisia Marie Schwarz B.S., South Dakota State University, 2005 Amy Marie Sonntag B.A., Simpson College, 2017 Desireé Reneé Stumpf B.S., Saint Louis University, 2019 Timothy Kenneth Weltzin B.S., Dana College, 1986 Luogon Peyea Yengar LL.B., University of Liberia, 2015 Lawrence M. Young B.S., Iowa State University, 2005
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the following 2020–2021 law school graduates participated in the december 12, 2020, commencement ceremony: juris doctor
master of jurisprudence
Abigail Grace Bluett B.A., University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2016 Shelby Kate Maly B.A., Concordia College - Moorhead, 2018 Reagan E. Peterson B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2017 Emma Celeste Schulte B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 Richard Grant Schwarm B.S., Iowa State University, 2008 Trynann J. Utzinger B.A., Drake University, 2017
Emily Nichole Bosovich B.S., Iowa State University, 2015 Jared J. English B.A., Missouri State University, 1998 M.A., Webster University, 2010 Michelle Murphy B.S., Missouri State University, 1992 Sarah Shives B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2002 Adrian Lynn Wallace B.A., Buena Vista University, 2010 M.A., University of Iowa, 2017
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law school designation of honors* highest honors
high honors
honors
Ryan N. Benn Logan Spencer Brundage Kara Jo Eischen Katherine Digman Hamilton Joshua David Hughes Mariah Marie Kauder Chelsey Mary Knapp Samuel Allen McMichael Austin Michael Poock Elaina Joy Steenson
Travis Mikel Brenner Rachel Marie Bruns Haley N. Bryan Alysun Marie Bulver Timothy M. Cullen Austin Robert Decker Isaac Jeremiah DeFord Johnathan Brett DuBois Patrick Michael Gray Emma Christine Grotting Frederic Charles Hayer Nathaniel Clay Jackson Sierra Lynn Leeds Ashley R. Madsen Grant Robert Ostby Rachel Marie Reinke Catrina J. Waite Maddison Audrey Elizabeth Wood Carter Abraham Wright
Zana Bajric Clark J. Butler Clarissa R. Davison David A. Ernst John David Gilbertson Megan M. Hall Blake E. Huser Erik Clark Kolsrud Joshua J. Krank Kathryn Anne Leidahl Adam J. Naset Meghan Colleen O’Meara Jill M. Osterhaus Andrea Rae Pyburn Noah H. Ridgway Julie Solis-Alvarado Margaret Louise Standish-Bruce Brayden Harley Sternklar Stella Maris Strohman Nicole Renee Votroubek Sophia Margaret Berkley Wanek Hannah Catherine Welch Lauren Ashley Whitt
* The degree may be conferred “with honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.0 to 3.39, “with high honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.4 to 3.69, or “with highest honors” upon a student whose final grade point average is 3.7 to 4.0. 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 2020 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 14, 2021, 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.
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academic program certificates** business law certificate Allison Courtney Ray Ackerman David A. Ernst Erica A. Feldhake Cole Michael Foster Patrick Michael Gray Andrea Margaret Hoyt Shang-en Brian Huang Sharayah Danielle Owens Margaret Louise Standish-Bruce Brayden Harley Sternklar John H. Syverud Sophia Margaret Berkley Wanek
constitutional law and civil rights certificate Haley N. Bryan Cameo L. Cott Timothy M. Cullen Joshua David Hughes Brennan Eugene Wells
environmental and sustainability law certificate Bradley J. Adams Austin Michael Blom
civil litigation and dispute resolution certificate
food and agricultural law certificate
Joshua Len Dewald
Emma Christine Grotting Quinn Gertrude Arlene Le Frois Ryan Douglas Smith
compliance and risk management certificate David A. Ernst Andrea Margaret Hoyt Dominique Lucianne Johnson Adam James Palmersheim John H. Syverud
legislative practice certificate
public service certificate
Rebecca Lynn Boyer Joshua J. Krank Ryan Douglas Smith Stella Maris Strohman Hannah Catherine Welch
Allison Courtney Ray Ackerman Ebony Monique Breaux Clarissa R. Davison Joshua Len Dewald Michael J. Fitzpatrick Megan M. Hall Andrea Margaret Hoyt Sierra Paige Iversen Dominique Lucianne Johnson Mariah Marie Kauder Ahsan Mujeeb Grant Robert Ostby Bharabi Pandit Baylee Lyann Reinstein Alma Griselda Reyes Ramirez Elaina Joy Steenson Hannah Catherine Welch
prosecution and defense certificate Adam Edward Brewster Alex James Gilmore Megan M. Hall Sierra Paige Iversen
intellectual property law certificate
Austin Michael Poock Margaret Louise Standish-Bruce
** Students who complete a required set of courses and internships receive a certificate recognizing their area of specialization.
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DRAKE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL 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 Andrew W. Jurs, B.A., J.D., Associate Dean, Clemens J. Smith Faculty Research Scholar 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 J. Kara Blanchard, B.S., M.S., Assistant Dean for Admission a nd Financial Aid Laura Mueller, B.A., Director of Admission and Financial Aid Alicia Hilligas, B.A., Assistant Director of Admission and Diversity Initiatives Kathryn Overberg, B.A., J.D., Director of Career Development
Erin C. Lain, B.A., J.D., Ph.D., Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion and 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 David E. McCord, B.A., J.D., Professor of Law Keith C. Miller, B.A., J.D., LL.M., Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished 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 Clinician in Residence Miguel Schor, B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor of Law Danielle M. Shelton, B.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Carole Tillotson, B.S., J.D., Associate Director of Career Development
Julie A. Smith, B.A., J.D., Director of the Legislative Practice Center and Assistant Professor of Law
Amy Cutler, B.A., M.A., Continuing Legal Education and Legal Clinic Coordinator
Julia Steggerda-Corey, B.A., M.P.S., J.D., LL.M., Director of the Compliance and Risk Management Program and Instructor of Law
Susan Dittmer, A.A., Budget and Office Manager Theresa Howard, B.A., M.A., Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Thomas Smith, B.B.A., M.A., M.B.A., Advancement Officer
faculty James A. Albert, B.F.A., J.D., Professor of Law Hon. Mark W. Bennett (Ret.), B.A., J.D., Director of the Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation Andrea S. Charlow, A.B., J.D., LL.M., Professor of Law
Maura I. Strassberg, B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor 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
Hunter R. Clark, A.B., J.D., Professor of Law
Jennifer Zwagerman, B.S., J.D., LL.M., Director of the Agricultural Law Center and Assistant Professor of Law
Erica Nichols Cook, B.A., J.D., Director of the Wrongful Convictions Clinic and Clinician in Residence
faculty emeriti
Laurie Kratky Doré, B.A., J.D., Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Law
James A. Adams, A.B., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Matthew G. Doré, B.A., J.D., Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law
Robert C. Hunter, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
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
Neil D. Hamilton, B.S., 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 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
Jami J. Hagemeier, B.S., J.D., M.P.A., Interim Director of the Middleton C hildren’s Rights Center and Associate Clinician in Residence
Arthur E. Ryman, Jr., B.S.L., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
David B. Hanson, B.A., M.A.L.S., Collection Management and Metadata Librarian and Associate Professor
Julie A. Thomas, B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Patricia Houlihan, B.A., M.A., J.D., Clinician in Residence Mark S. Kende, B.A., J.D., James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law, Director of the Constitutional Law Center and Professor of Law Dorie Knight, B.A., M.S., Reference and Instruction Librarian and Assistant Professor of Law Librarianship
Deborah E. Sulzbach, B.A., M.L.S., Professor Emeritus of Librarianship David S. Walker, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
in memoriam Martin D. Begleiter Professor 1977-2016 Emeritus 2016-2021
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acknowledgment
Drake University and the Law School gratefully acknowledge the Law School Endowment Trust for its financial support of the Law School Commencement.
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