DRAKE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT
two thousand twenty des moines, iowa
The One Hundred and Forty-Eighth Commencement of Drake University Law School
May Sixteenth, Two Thousand Twenty
DES MOINES, IOWA
Dwight D. Opperman Hall and Law LibraryDwight D. Opperman Hall and Law Library
2
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Graduates,
Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment! On behalf of the entire Drake community, I commend you on this culmination of your academic achievements, and celebrate the beginning of a new stage in your lives. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you into the esteemed ranks of our alumni and send you forth into a world that is much in need of your talents, leadership, and service. I realize that your final weeks as a Drake student have been unusual and challenging. While there is reason for angst, there is even more that gives us hope. It is that spirit of hope—the drive to create positive change in the world and the compassion to make a difference in the lives of others—that defines what it means to be a Bulldog and, in many ways, unites the Class of 2020. Throughout your time at Drake, I have had the privilege to come to know many of you. I have been inspired by your intellect, admired the countless ways you serve, marveled at your talents on the stage, and watched you compete on the court or field. I have no doubt you are going to make this world a better place. One of the most powerful things about this institution is its people. You are joining a distinguished network of 74,000 alumni worldwide who are devoted to making an impact, and now it is your turn. A Drake degree sets you apart. It will propel and serve you for the rest of your life. Congratulations to our newest alumni—go forth and make a difference. Sincerely,
Marty Martin President
A LETTER FROM THE DEAN
Dear Drake Law Class of 2020: My heartfelt congratulations on reaching the end of your law school journey! No one knows better than the law school faculty what it takes to do what you have just done. If you stack up your books on the floor—from first-year Contracts and Con Law, to the electives you’ve taken this year—they truly add up to a mountain of material, all of which you’ve absorbed (although at the moment, you might be a little foggy on the Rule Against Perpetuities). You’ve argued in front of judges, both for practice and for real; you’ve edited scholarly articles; you’ve interviewed witnesses, negotiated settlements, drafted articles of incorporation, and conducted real trials. Our Masters students have learned the intricacies of the regulatory system and learned how to develop business processes to achieve compliance. In short, when you look back on everything you’ve done in your law school careers, you should have enormous sense of pride in what you’ve learned, both inside the classroom and out. You’re now joining an elite group of those who have a law degree. Now would be an excellent time to think about some of the amazing individuals in that club and to pick someone to be your role model going forward. Will it be John Adams, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Abraham Lincoln, Thurgood Marshall, or Sandra Day O’Connor? Will it be a Drake graduate, like Johnny Taylor, Jr., Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, or the Honorable Marsha Ternus? Or will it be a lawyer you know, someone who has mentored you or you’ve worked with? Maybe a faculty member you’ve seen in action, like our outstanding clinical faculty? There are so many outstanding examples, but the point is that you, too, can be like them—honorable, committed lawyers who make a difference in their communities, and the world, every day. I know this semester will forever be known for the disruption caused by the coronavirus. Your class has handled this situation with grace. It will not be the last time, I am sure, that you will need to adapt quickly to changing circumstances—and you have shown an outstanding ability to handle what life throws your way. I hope that the last couple of months will not overshadow your memories of the rest of your time in the Drake Law community, and that when you look back, it will be with the same sense of pride in your accomplishments that all of us feel for you on this special day. Best Wishes,
Dean Jerry L. Anderson
drake university law school Candidates Presented by Dean Jerry L. Anderson
Juris Doctor Raven Noelle Adams B.S., Fisk University, 2015 Tyler Kelly Adams B.S., Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, 2017 Nicholas Andrew Adkins B.S., Illinois State University, 2014 Clarissa Argueta B.A., University of Nevada - Las Vegas, 2016 Lucas Lee Asbury B.S., University of Iowa, 2014 B.S., University of Iowa, 2014 B.A., University of Iowa, 2014 M.P.P.A., Adler University, 2016 Joel M. Aschbrenner B.A., Kansas State University, 2010 MaKayla Joy Augustine B.A., Morningside College, 2017 Delaney Lurie Beier B.S.B.A., Drake University, 2017 M.B.A., Drake University, 2020 Austin Michael Blom B.A., Central College, 2014 Kristy Lee Brandt B.S., North Dakota State University, 2017 Daniel Paul Breitbarth B.S., Iowa State University, 2016 Alysun Marie Bulver B.S., Iowa State University, 2017 B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 Thomas James Bush B.A., University of Notre Dame, 2017 Lauren Elizabeth Calef B.S., Missouri State University, 2011 M.S., Missouri State University, 2014 Joshua Ryan Carpenter B.A., Central College, 2017 Bria Trennice Carr B.S., Marian College - Fond du Lac, 2016 Jennifer Beatriz Chavez-Rivera B.A., University of Iowa, 2017 William Thomas Daniel B.S., Truman State University, 2017 Hunter Bradley Davis B.A., Franklin and Marshall College, 2017 Sheridan Christine DeJong B.S., University of Iowa, 2016 Kaitlyn B. Dudding B.A., Lewis University, 2017 B.S., Lewis University, 2017 Hannah Marie Early B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 Reece Warren Elphic B.A., Drake University, 2017 Erica A. Feldhake B.A., University of Illinois - Springfield, 2017
Mucia Maria Flores B.A., Baylor University, 2017 Hunter Michael Fors B.A., Simpson College, 2017 Jacqueline Garcia B.A., Iowa State University, 2018 John David Gilbertson B.A., Berklee College of Music, 2017 Zachary Scott Goodrich B.A., Simpson College, 2017 Joseph Everett Gray B.A., Iowa State University, 1997 M.M.A.S, United States Army Command and General Staff College, 2012 Kailey J. Gray B.A., Drake University, 2018 Grant Edward Gustafson B.A., University of Illinois - Springfield, 2017 Amber Jean Haberl B.A., Drake University, 2017 John H. Halsey B.A., University of Iowa, 2014 Brandon Michael Hanson B.A., Saint John’s University, 2015 Anthony Dion Harris, Jr. B.A., Morehouse College, 2015 Kyle Alan Henry B.S., Iowa State University, 2015 Adam Robert Heroff B.A., Winona State University, 2017 Bevin Jamal Holloway B.A., University of Texas - Austin, 2015 Tegan Louisa Jarchow B.A., Simpson College, 2017 Dominique Lucianne Johnson B.A., Bennett College, 2015 Austin William Jungblut B.A., University of Iowa, 2017 Chelsey Mary Knapp B.S., University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2016 Riley Herbert Kock B.A., Wartburg College, 2017 Kollan Ronald Kolthoff B.A., University of Iowa, 2017 Philip George Kucharczyk B.A., Simon Fraser University, 2008 Rachel Mauree Large B.A., Grand View University, 2017 Cameron Lawrence Lawler B.S., Northwest Missouri State University, 2017 Quinn Gertrude Arlene Le Frois B.S., University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2016 Austin Richard Lenz B.A., Iowa State University, 2017
Alexander Richard LeSher B.A., Iowa State University, 2016 Zachary James Louton B.A., University of Iowa, 2017 Austin J Luse B.A., University of Iowa, 2017 Esther Cecilia Lwakabamba B.A., William Penn University, 2016 Kyler David Massner B.A., University of Iowa, 2012 Madeline Maureen Meyer B.A., Drake University, 2016 M.B.A., Drake University, 2020 Gage Marcus Meyers B.A., Augustana College, 2017 Austin Whitney Moore B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2007 Nicholas Patrick Moreland B.S., Creighton University, 2017 David Vern Newkirk B.A., Coe College, 2016 Benjamin Gregory Nielson B.A., University of Iowa, 2016 Luke Thomas North B.A., Clarke University, 2017 Kerrigan Lynn Owens B.A., University of Iowa, 2017 Kayli Abigail Paul B.S., University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2017 Cody John Reimer B.A., Luther College, 2017 Eric Christopher Richetti B.S., Boise State University, 2016 Grant Michael Rodgers B.A., Simpson College, 2013 Nicole Anne Rollins B.S., Iowa State University, 2016 M.B.A., Drake University, 2020
Michael William Rutledge B.A., Drake University, 2012 Trevor Alan Schweinefus B.A., Central College, 2017 M.B.A., Drake University, 2020 Geoffrey Dean Sellers B.A., Central College, 2016 Brittany Ann Sievers B.A., Iowa State University, 2012 Reagan Hila Slater B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 Leland Guy Slawson B.A., Briar Cliff University, 2017 Rachel Lynn Soderstrum B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2017 Nicole Christine Steddom B.A., Cedarville University, 2016 Caitlin Harte Suttie B.S., United States Air Force Academy, 2010 Justus Manatt Thompson B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2013 M.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2015 Jeffrey Daniel Thornton B.S., Iowa State University, 2017 Taylor Nicole Tomlinson B.S., Iowa State University, 2013 Katie Jane Vculek B.S., North Dakota State University, 2017 Julie Lovie Walker B.S., University of New Hampshire, 2017 Bryanna Lynne Walton B.A., Iowa State University, 2017 William Charles Phillips Westfall B.S., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 2017 Blaine Alan Woodson B.A., Wartburg College, 2017 Clara Lyn Wulfsen B.A., University of Iowa, 2017
Master of Jurisprudence
Master of Laws
Nicholas W. Bieber B.A., Upper Iowa University, 2017 B.S., Upper Iowa University, 2017 Brian Joseph Gilg B.A., Cornell College, 2016 Heather Elizabeth Hermann B.S., Dominican University, 1998 Jami Danielle Little B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2005 M.P.A., Drake University, 2016 Duy Q. Pham B.A., Iowa State University, 2011 Amy Marie Sonntag B.A., Simpson College, 2017 Polly R. Welp B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 1978
Peter Edward Larsen B.A., Augsburg College, 2013 M.A., University of Chicago, 2016 J.D., Drake University, 2019
The following 2019–2020 law school graduates participated in the December 14, 2019 commencement ceremony: Juris Doctor
Master of Jurisprudence
Ashle Kathleen Bray B.A., Mount Mercy University, 2016 Eric Edward Breitsprecker B.A., University of Wisconsin - Platteville, 2016 Travis Morgan Conder B.A., University of Northern Iowa, 2017 Natalie Anne Deerr B.A., Drake University, 2017 Kelly L. Grossman B.S., Iowa State University, 2016 Kelsea Morann Hawley B.A., Iowa State University, 2012 Benjamin John Kenkel B.S., Iowa State University, 2010 Nicholas David Ott B.A., Indiana University, 2012 M.B.A., Western Governors University, 2015
Michael John Fitzpatrick B.A., Marycrest International University, 1992 Andrew James Lauver B.S., Iowa State University, 2012 M.A.B., Kansas State University, 2017
law school designation of honors* highest honors
high honors
honors
Nicholas Andrew Adkins Joel M. Aschbrenner William Thomas Daniel Chelsey Mary Knapp Alexander Richard LeSher Grant Michael Rodgers Rachel Lynn Soderstrum
Tyler Kelly Adams Lucas Lee Asbury Delaney Lurie Beier Alysun Marie Bulver Thomas James Bush Lauren Elizabeth Calef Jennifer Beatriz Chavez-Rivera Sheridan Christine DeJong Amber Jean Haberl Brandon Michael Hanson Austin William Jungblut Austin Richard Lenz Kyler David Massner David Vern Newkirk Trevor Alan Schweinefus Leland Guy Slawson
MaKayla Joy Augustine Joshua Ryan Carpenter Kaitlyn B. Dudding Hannah Marie Early Hunter Michael Fors Jacqueline Garcia John David Gilbertson Kailey J. Gray Grant Edward Gustafson Kyle Alan Henry Adam Robert Heroff Tegan Louisa Jarchow Zachary James Louton Madeline Maureen Meyer Benjamin Gregory Nielson Kayli Abigail Paul Geoffrey Dean Sellers Brittany Ann Sievers Nicole Christine Steddom Taylor Nicole Tomlinson Katie Jane Vculek Bryanna Lynne Walton Blaine Alan Woodson
* The degree may be conferred “with honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.0 to 3.34, “with high honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.35 to 3.64, or “with highest honors” upon a student whose final grade point average is 3.65 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 2019 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 16, 2020 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 Nicholas Andrew Adkins MaKayla Joy Augustine Delaney Lurie Beier Thomas James Bush William Thomas Daniel Erica A. Feldhake Brandon Michael Hanson Kyle Alan Henry Riley Herbert Kock Philip George Kucharczyk Benjamin Gregory Nielson Cody John Reimer Eric Christopher Richetti Trevor Alan Schweinefus Justus Manatt Thompson
constitutional law and civil rights certificate
intellectual property law certificate
Jacqueline Garcia Zachary Scott Goodrich Tegan Louisa Jarchow Nicholas Patrick Moreland
Kaitlyn B. Dudding Adam Robert Heroff Esther Cecilia Lwakabamba Gage Marcus Meyers
prosecution and defense certificate Lucas Lee Asbury Bria Trennice Carr Kollan Ronald Kolthoff
public service certificate
environmental and sustainability law certificate
international law and global citizenship certificate
Austin Michael Blom Jeffrey Daniel Thornton Katie Jane Vculek
Michael William Rutledge
compliance and risk management certificate
food and agricultural law certificate
legislative practice certificate
Kyle Alan Henry Dominique Lucianne Johnson Rachel Mauree Large
Quinn Gertrude Arlene Le Frois Katie Jane Vculek Julie Lovie Walker
Lucas Lee Asbury Kristy Lee Brandt Daniel Paul Breitbarth Jacqueline Garcia Zachary Scott Goodrich Bevin Jamal Holloway Dominique Lucianne Johnson Kollan Ronald Kolthoff Kerrigan Lynn Owens
Joshua Ryan Carpenter Madeline Maureen Meyer Leland Guy Slawson Bryanna Lynne Walton
** Students who complete a required set of courses and internships receive a certificate recognizing their area of specialization.
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 Brooke Axiotis, B.A., J.D., Director of the Academic Success Program J. Kara Blanchard, B.S., M.S., Assistant Dean for Admission and Financial Aid Ann Allen, B.A., M.S., 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 Carole Tillotson, B.S., J.D., Associate Director of Career Development Salena Behrens, B.S.B.A., Director of Marketing and Communications Amy Cutler, B.A., M.A., Continuing Legal Education and Legal Clinic Coordinator
Dorie Knight, B.A., M.S., Reference and Instruction Librarian and Assistant Professor of Law Erin C. Lain, B.A., J.D., Ph.D., Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion and Associate Professor of Law Rebecca A. Lutkenhaus, B.A., M.A., J.D., Reference Librarian and Professor 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 Robert C. Oberbillig, B.A., J.D., Clinician in Residence Brent M. Pattison, B.A., J.D., Director of the Middleton Children’s Rights Center and Clinical Professor Suzan M. Pritchett, B.A., M.A., J.D., Director of Clinical and Experiential Programs and Associate 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 Julie A. Smith, B.A., J.D., Director of the Legislative Practice Center and Assistant Professor of Law Julia Steggerda-Corey, B.A., M.P.S., J.D., LL.M., Director of the Compliance and Risk Management Program Maura I. Strassberg, B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Susan Dittmer, A.A., Budget and Office Manager
Allan W. Vestal, B.A., J.D., Professor of Law
Theresa Howard, B.A., M.A., Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events
Karen L. Wallace, B.A., M.A., Circulation/Reference Librarian and Professor
Thomas Smith, B.B.A., M.A., M.B.A., Advancement Officer
Melissa H. Weresh, B.A., J.D., Dwight D. Opperman Distinguished Professor of Law
faculty
Ellen L. Yee, B.A., J.D., Director of International Programs and Professor of Law
James A. Albert, B.F.A., J.D., Professor of Law Natalie M. Banta, B.S., J.D., Associate Professor of Law
Jennifer Zwagerman, B.S., J.D., LL.M., Director of the Agricultural Law Center and Assistant Professor of Law
Hon. Mark W. Bennett (Ret.), B.A., J.D., Director of the Institute for Justice Reform and Innovation
faculty emeriti
Andrea S. Charlow, A.B., J.D., LL.M., Professor of Law
James A. Adams, A.B., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Hunter R. Clark, A.B., J.D., Professor of Law
Martin D. Begleiter, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Laurie Kratky Doré, B.A., J.D., Ellis and Nelle Levitt Distinguished Professor of Law
Neil D. Hamilton, B.S., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Matthew G. Doré, B.A., J.D., Richard M. and Anita Calkins Distinguished Professor of Law
Suzanne J. Levitt, A.B., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Robert C. Hunter, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Steven Foritano, B.A., J.D., Practitioner in Residence
Russell E. Lovell II, B.B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Sally B. Frank, A.B., MAT/CLE, J.D., Professor of Law
James R. Monroe, B.A., M.B.A., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
Anthony J. Gaughan, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., J.D., Kern Family Chair in Law and Professor of Law
Daniel L. Power, B.S., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
David B. Hanson, B.A., M.A.L.S., Collection Management and Metadata Librarian and Associate Professor
Deborah E. Sulzbach, B.A., M.L.S., Professor Emeritus of Librarianship
Mark S. Kende, B.A., J.D., James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law, Director of the Constitutional Law Center and Professor of Law
Julie A. Thomas, B.A., M.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
Arthur E. Ryman, Jr., B.S.L., J.D., LL.M., Professor Emeritus
David S. Walker, B.A., J.D., Professor Emeritus
DRAKE ALMA MATER Words by EMMA J. SCOTT
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