120th & 121st Commencement
Friday, June 11, 2021
Cressy Field UMass Dartmouth Dartmouth, Massachusetts
UMass Dartmouth Mission
Board of Trustees
UMass Dartmouth distinguishes itself as a vibrant, public research university dedicated to engaged learning and innovative research resulting in personal and lifelong student success. The University serves as an intellectual catalyst for economic, social, and cultural transformation on a global, national, and regional scale.
Robert J. Manning, Chairman (’84, Lowell) R. Norman Peters, JD, Vice Chairman Mary L. Burns (’84, Lowell) Ryan P. Callahan (’21, Lowell) Peter Cruz-Gordillo (’21, Medical School) Robert Epstein (’67, Amherst)
UMass Dartmouth Vision
Stephen R. Karam Richard M. Kelleher (’73, Amherst)
UMass Dartmouth will be a globally recognized premier research university committed to inclusion, access, advancement of knowledge, student success, and community enrichment.
UMass School of Law Mission
UMass Law is the Commonwealth’s public law school. We are committed to providing an excellent, affordable, and accessible legal education. Our collegial community respects and promotes diversity in identity and ideas. Our program balances legal theory, doctrine, skills, experience, and professionalism. We strive to graduate competent, ethical, and creative professionals who exercise sound judgment. Our involvement in the legal community enables our students to thrive in a changing profession and to serve the needs of their future clients. We advance justice within and beyond the Commonwealth through our research, writing, teaching, learning, practice, and engagement with the profession.
The permanent record kept in the Office of the University Registrar for each student will certify the award of degree and carry his or her grades, averages, and honors (if any). At commencement, students graduating with distinction are noted only if that distinction has been earned at the end of the previous semester. The names appearing in the Commencement Program represent an unofficial listing of candidates.
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Narcisse M. Kunda (’21, Dartmouth) Robert Lewis, Jr. Michael V. O’Brien (’88, Amherst) Noreen C. Okwara, M.D. (’12, Boston; ’17, Medical School) Kerri E. Osterhaus-Houle, M.D. (’99, Medical School) Imari K. Paris Jeffries, BA, MEd, MA (’97, ’99, ’03, Boston) Kush Patel (’21, Boston) James A. Peyser Julie M. Ramos Gagliardi, MBA (’87, Dartmouth) Timothy V. Scalona (’20, Amherst) Elizabeth D. Scheibel, JD Steven A. Tolman (’99, Boston) Victor Woolridge (’80, Amherst) Charles F. Wu, MBA
The University of Massachusetts is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to, and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.
Honorees Kristine C. Goodwin (’20) Student Address
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ristine C. Goodwin (J.D. ’20) has worked for over twenty years as a senior executive in higher education, most recently as a vice president for student affairs. Having passed the bar exam in October, she was sworn into the Massachusetts Bar in January 2021. Since that time, she has been working as an affiliate attorney with Justice Bridge Legal Center—UMass Law’s incubator program—representing low-to-moderate-income clients out of the Boston office and coordinating the practice’s Title IX services. While in law school, Kristine completed independent legal research on alternative/appropriate dispute resolution (ADR) and courses at Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation (PON). She also volunteered with the NAACP. In addition to being an attorney, Kristine is a mediator, workplace investigator, ombudsperson, trainer, and conflict/ negotiation coach. She owns and operates GoodWin Resolutions, LLC, a legal consulting, and law firm committed to equal opportunity in employment and education. Kristine and her husband, Bruce, have three adult sons and one daughter-in-law, and an adopted rescue dog named Boots. Kristine earned a B.A. from Westfield State University and a M.Ed. from UMass Lowell before graduating magna cum laude from the UMass School of Law in 2020.
Kevin Joseph Burchill (’21) Student Address
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evin Joseph Burchill (J.D. ’21) is from West Tisbury, Massachusetts with deep family roots in New Bedford. Kevin went to Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, received a Bachelor of Arts from The George Washington University in International Affairs and Security Policy, and is ending his academic career at UMass Law as a Public Interest Law Fellow. Kevin has worked for the Bristol County and Cape & Island’s District Attorney’s Offices, assisting the public through the arduous court process. Through his time in the Human Rights at Home Clinic, under the mentorship of Professor Margaret B. Drew, Kevin honed his empathetic approach to practice cases in the probate and family court, with a focus on advocating for survivors of domestic violence. He also had the privilege of being Professor Gina L. DeRossi’s Teaching Assistant and took pride in mentoring students in oral advocacy and case management skills as it relates to family law. Kevin is sitting for the Massachusetts Bar in July and hopes to work in family law and domestic violence advocacy in any capacity that allows him to continue his career dedicated to being of service to others. Kevin is the son of Jane E. Burchill and the late Kevin R. Burchill, J.D. (Suffolk, ’92). He dedicates his speech to the memory of his father, who insisted that Kevin “Smarten Up and Be Good,” and to his mother, whose persistence and undying support have enabled him to succeed. 3
Order of Exercises
Student Awards
Academic Procession
Academic Achievement Awards Full-time student: Daniel James Tocci ’20 Spencer K Schneider ’21 Part-time student: Robert C. Devine ’20 Jocelyn Frawley ’21
The audience is requested to remain seated until after the processional has been completed.
National Anthem UMass Dartmouth university chorus under the direction of Professor Tianxu Zhou – Video Welcome Mark A. Fuller, Interim Chancellor Greetings from the Dean Eric J. Mitnick Video Greetings from the President of the University Martin T. Meehan Video Greetings from the Board of Trustees Stephen R. Karam
Clinical Legal Education Award (CLEA) Kseniya Evgenyevna Ruzanova ’20 Sarah Accar ’21 External Legal Education Award (CLEA) Lisa M. Raimondi ’21 Connecticut Attorneys Title Insurance Company (CATIC) Foundation, Inc. Award Robert C. Devine ’20 Victoria M. Wood ’21
Greetings from the Alumni Association Brittany Raposa ’12, JD ’15
Dean’s Service Award Johnny Ross III ’20 Sharon Jeanette Hazel ’21
Student Address Kristine C. Goodwin ’20 Kevin Joseph Burchill ’21
Pro Bono Award Christina Yeajin Suh ’20 503.50 hours of pro bono work
Announcement of Awards Eric J. Mitnick Dean Hooding of the Candidates and Conferring of Juris Doctor Degrees Mark A. Fuller, Interim Chancellor Eric J. Mitnick, Dean Recessional
Natalie Nicole Newsom ’21 486.50 hours of pro bono work
St. Thomas More Award Kyle J. Zacharewicz ’20 Daniel Justin Figueroa ’21 Student Bar Association Hon. Francis L. Larkin Amicus Award Camille D. Evans ’20 Maria M Lim ’21 Thurgood Marshall Social Justice Award Michael A. Cain ’20 Maria M Lim ’21
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2020 School of Law
Eric J. Mitnick Dean
Lauren S. McCarthy* Alice M. McDermott* William P. McGuire Joshua D. Melo
Juris Doctor Recipients
Annette Mendoza
Oluwatobi Adedokun
John Monahan Mullen**
Markus M. Aloyan
Julio C. Murillo Garcia*
Robert T. Ball Jr**
Brynna M. Patel
James Charles Black
Christine Powers
Michael A. Cain
Kiersten M. Reider*
Brenton S. Callaghan
Flannery duRivage Rogers**
Tyler M. Chaisson*
Johnny Ross III*
Beyanid Cole
Kseniya Evgenyevna Ruzanova
Caroline S. Constance
Mark Salomone*
Alex M. Couto*
Jocelyn Tyra Carmen Small
Evan James Dean
Marcio Soares
Robert C. Devine***
Ilan Stern
Colleen Marie Doyle
Christina Yeajin Suh
Kayleigh D. Ellison
Natalie M. Tafuri
Camille D. Evans
Daniel James Tocci***
Aleah I. Fisher**
Nayomi Ivelisse Vazquez
Colleen Patricia Flores*
Alexander David Vitale
Ingrid Banessa Gonzalez Mejia
Brittany Rae Wescott**
Kristine C. Goodwin**
Michael John Westerman
Joseph F. Grillo*
Kurt Eric Wichman
Tyler Andrew Hicks
Debra A. Wilmer
Daniel William Jackman*
David S. Wilson**
Talia Cheyenne Johnson*
Jenna M. Winslow
Jamie Jordan
Kyle J Zacharewicz
Ryan W. Kelly** Bailey E. Kraus Mary Brigh Lavery** Ayesha Malik Teresa Marie Erika Nicole Martinez
Honors designations *** Summa Cum Laude ** Magna Cum Laude * Cum Laude
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2020 Recognition
Academic Fellows Robert T. Ball Jr Alice M. McDermott Daniel James Tocci
Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity Award Teresa Marie
Public Interest Law Fellows Michael A. Cain Beyanid Cole Caroline S. Constance Colleen Marie Doyle Jamie Jordan Bailey E. Kraus Mary Brigh Lavery Teresa Marie Flannery duRivage Rogers Christina Yeajin Suh Natalie M. Tafuri Debra A. Wilmer Jenna M. Winslow Kyle J. Zacharewicz
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Law Review Board Editor-In-Chief Mary Brigh Lavery Managing Editor Flannery duRivage Rogers Executive Articles Editor Aleah I. Fisher Executive Notes Editor Robert C. Devine Business & Conference Editor Lauren S. McCarthy
Lead Editors Robert T. Ball Jr Ryan W. Kelly Brittany Rae Wescott David S. Wilson
2020 Recognition
“Servant of Justice Award” for performing 100 hours of pro bono or community service Oluwatobi Adedokun Robert T. Ball Jr Brenton S. Callaghan Kayleigh D. Ellison Ayesha Malik Johnny Ross III
Faculty and Staff Marshals
Faculty Marshal Kevin Connelly Staff Marshal Sandra Leger Silva
“Leader for Justice Award” for performing 200 hours of pro bono or community service Michael A. Cain Beyanid Cole Caroline S. Constance Colleen Marie Doyle Jamie Jordan Bailey E. Kraus Mary Brigh Lavery Teresa Marie Erika Nicole Martinez Flannery duRivage Rogers Jocelyn Tyra Carmen Small Marcio Soares Christina Yeajin Suh Natalie M. Tafuri Debra A. Wilmer Jenna M. Winslow Kyle J. Zacharewicz
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2021 School of Law
Quan N. Le MaryAnn Reilly Lemon Celia Laine Rogers Lesh Maria M. Lim Brooke Michelle Loneker Eve M. Madden** Sadia A. Mandli Cymone Martin Mercedes Martinez* Alyssa Faye McCartney** Michael V. McVeigh Teresa Melendez Padilla Matthew Metcalf Anthony V. Moser Alexandria Rita Murphy Sedri-Ann S. Murray Braeden Newman* Natalie Nicole Newsom** Gregory James O’Neill** Kellie M. Otteman Abigail R. Peckham*** Margot L. Pera* Daniel A. Picketts Lisa M Raimondi** Pedro M. Raposo Dominique T Rapoza Samantha E. Reid** Antonio J. Reyes Ashley Taylor Rix* Timothy Edward Robinson III* Gabriella Angela Russo Michael A. Santi Spencer K. Schneider*** Laurie Jaclaude Senat Ricardo J Serrano Jay M. Shenk* Stephanie A. Simon Matthew R. Stevens*** Shareefah Dorosa Thomasina Taylor** Laura A. Trevino* Judson S. Watt Thomas David Aaron Wazlavek* Wendy W. Weston Victoria M. Wood**
Eric J. Mitnick Dean
Juris Doctor Recipients Sarah Accar Enoch Nii Adotei Allotey* Maria J. Backman Abbey M. Barr* Vladeric Belizaire* Stefan Belliveau Victoria Lynn Bendza* Amanda L. Bourgeois Thomas M. Brennan** Brendan M. Burchell Kevin J. Burchill Rebecca Nicole Cecconi Eric D. Chiasson Kyla L. Collette Derek N. Connors** Tara M. Cullen Dylan M Dalbeck Laurel Dane* Jenna T. Dean Nicholas Damian DeMarco** Jessica Lynne Dusenberry Alexandra Farmer Jayde B. Ferguson Daniel Justin Figueroa Jocelyn Frawley*** Victor Y. Gevirtz Jennifer Giabbai** Connor P. Gillen* Jonathan R. Goldman Richard M. Grace Sharon Jeanette Hazel Richard Steven Hickey Brandon Paul Hunt* Jared Hunter Molly K. Hyland** Shamar O. James Youjeen A. Kang Stephen Michael Kaye* Reaz N. Khan Benjamin D. Klub Nicholas S. LaFlamme Christopher Andrew Lanen** Ruth Mosely Lavache 8
Honors designations *** Summa Cum Laude ** Magna Cum Laude * Cum Laude
2021 Recognition
Academic Fellows Victoria Lynn Bendza Laurel Dane Molly K. Hyland Natalie Nicole Newsom Margot L. Pera Samantha E. Reid Ashley Taylor Rix Victoria M. Wood Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity Award Sharon Jeanette Hazel Public Interest Law Fellows Kevin J. Burchill Rebecca Nicole Cecconi Jocelyn Frawley Jennifer Giabbai Sharon Jeanette Hazel Youjeen A. Kang Reaz N. Khan Ruth Mosely Lavache Maria M. Lim Mercedes Martinez Teresa Melendez Padilla Alexandria Rita Murphy Gregory James O’Neill Shareefah Dorosa Thomasina Taylor Thomas David Aaron Wazlavek Victoria M. Wood Law Review Board Editor-In-Chief Abigail R Peckham Managing Editors Jocelyn Frawley Shareefah Dorosa Thomasina Taylor Executive Articles Editor Lisa M. Raimondi Executive Notes Editor Gregory James O’Neill Business & Conference Editor Alyssa Faye McCartney
Technology Editor 2019-2020 Christopher Lanen
Lead Editors Thomas M. Brennan Derek N. Connors Nicholas Damian DeMarco Eve M. Madden Laura A. Trevino
Staff Editors Molly K. Hyland Samantha E. Reid Ashley Taylor Rix Matthew R. Stevens
“Servant of Justice Award” for performing 100 hours of pro bono or community service Samantha E Reid Gabriella Angela Russo “Leader for Justice Award” for performing 200 hours of pro bono or community service Kevin J Burchill Rebecca Nicole Cecconi Jessica Lynne Dusenberry Jocelyn Frawley Jennifer Giabbai Sharon Jeanette Hazel Molly K Hyland Youjeen A Kang Reaz N Khan Ruth Mosely Lavache Maria M Lim Mercedes Martinez Teresa Melendez Padilla Alexandria Rita Murphy Natalie Nicole Newsom Gregory James O’Neill Abigail R Peckham Lisa M Raimondi Spencer K Schneider Shareefah Dorosa Thomasina Taylor Laura A Trevino Thomas David Aaron Wazlavek Victoria M Wood
Technology Editor Spencer K. Schneider 9