NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
A COVID commencement Keynote speaker Justice Adrienne C. Nelson featured, Associate Dean Jeffrey Dobbins and Spencer Prosen JD’21 recognized
made, versatility to pivot and struggle with loss.
“Today we celebrate you, and the achievements of our graduates under circumstances that I’m confident not one of you could’ve predicted when you joined our community three years ago,” Dean Brian Gallini remarked during the ceremony. “We are extremely proud of the considerable work you did to get to this special day.”
Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne C. Nelson gave the keynote address, and two members of the law community were honored at the ceremony: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jeffrey Dobbins, the Law Faculty Member of the Year, and graduate Spencer Prosen JD’21, the class valedictorian.
“Class of 2021, you’ve been well outside your comfort zone now for over a year, but Willamette Law celebrated its it’s that versatility that gives 135th Commencement me great hope for our COVID-style on May 16, 2021, profession and in your ability complete with a virtual to thrive amidst any of the ceremony and distanced, challenges you may face in pod-based diploma pick-up. the future,” he concluded.
Clockwise from top: A group of excited faculty pose with a graduating student during a diploma pick-up event held in May; Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne C. Nelson was the keynote speaker for commencement; Meghan Graf JD’21, Class of 2021 president, spearheaded a mask design project for graduation.
6 | Willamette Lawyer
Gallini also spoke about the class’ resilience, sacrifices
