May 13, 2017

Class of 2017: Congratulations! You made it!

Two weeks ago, for many reasons I was reminded of the great power of the IU McKinney School of Law.

I had the privilege of delivering remarks at the first naturalization ceremony ever to be held on a university campus in Indianapolis where 98 people took the oath of U.S. citizenship.

It was at IUPUI.

During the ceremony, Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson proudly proclaimed that she was a graduate of McKinney Law at IUPUI, and over the course of the next thirty minutes person after person stepped up to the podium to welcome our newest citizens, and in doing so they also shared the IU McKinney Law story.

Ashley Marks, a practicing attorney in Indianapolis representing the Indiana State Bar Association in the ceremony, is a 2011 graduate of McKinney.

Matt Lasher, a 2010 graduate, is now an Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Represented by colleagues at the ceremony, U.S. Senator Todd Young is a 2006 McKinney graduate, and U.S. Congresswoman Susan Brooks graduated in 1983, in the same class as Chief Judge Magnus-Stinson.

This is only a fraction of the incredible leadership that McKinney Law has nurtured over the years.

Today, as we recognize 303 degree recipients at this ceremony, we are celebrating the impressive accomplishments of our McKinney graduates.

In doing this, I can’t help but think about the difference that McKinney makes.

I was so proud to hear Dean Klein talk about the pro bono contributions of this graduating class.

We could put a price on that service, but we can’t put a price on justice.

Graduates like Karla Lopez-Owens know exactly what I mean by this.

Karla received the IUPUI Si Se Puede! Yes We Can! Award and the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion. She was part of the student team working in Professor Fran Watson’s Wrongful Conviction Clinic who won release of an innocent man from Delaware County.

Karla, would you please stand for our recognition?

As we celebrate graduates like Karla, we are also celebrating the diverse, inclusive, global character of American higher education that makes it the best in the world.

This university environment brings people together from around the world to build powerful intellectual communities that generate discovery and innovation.

The key to that environment has been and should remain the free flow of talent— of students, scholars, and many others— from around the world.

Sixty of our graduates today come from countries outside of the United States, including Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Lebanon, China, Mexico, and others.

As they build their careers, the IU McKinney difference in their lives will be measured on the scales of justice, which they will safeguard regardless of where they live and practice.

Graduate Andrea Stanarevic understands this global perspective. She came to the United States with her family as a refugee from the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. During her time at McKinney Law, Andrea has distinguished herself for her pro bono activities, and has interned for Judge Magnus-Stinson and Judge Melissa May, a 1984 McKinney grad. Andrea has also served in the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

I would like to ask Andrea to stand for our congratulations.

Graduates like Andrea carry on the powerful commitment to public service that drives so many IU McKinney School of Law alumni.