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The George Washington University Law School
2024 School Celebration
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Congratulations to the GW Law Class of 2024! Your dedication and hard work have led to this momentous achievement. Here's to a future filled with success, impact, and making a difference in the world of law. Well done!
Watch the Diploma Celebration Recording
- Order of Exercises
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Prelude and Processional
Corcoran BrassAnnouncement of the Diploma Ceremony
Steven L. Schooner
Jeffrey & Martha Kohn Senior Associate Dean for Academic AffairsNational Anthem
Corcoran BrassWelcome
Dayna Bowen Matthew
Dean of the Law SchoolPresentation of Awards
Recognition of Grand Marshall - Jeffrey Kohn, JD '84
Presented by Dean MatthewStudent Bar Association President's Remarks
Shallum Atkinson, Class of 2024Distinguished Associate or Assistant Dean Award - Laurie Kohn, Jacob Burns Foundation Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Presented by Mr. AtkinsonDistinguished Faculty Service Award - Kate Weisburd, Associate Professor of Law
Presented by Mr. AtkinsonDistinguished Staff Service Award - Bobby Walis, Information Specialist
Presented by Mr. AtkinsonMichael D. Cooley Memorial Award - Phoebe Fisher, Class of 2024
Presented by Mr. AtkinsonStudent Bar Association Distinguished Service Award - Shallum Atkinson, Class of 2024
Presented by Dean MatthewDistinguished Adjunct Faculty Service Award - Caroline Rogus, Professorial Lecturer in Law; Dan Stigall, Professorial Lecturer in Law
Presented by Mr. AtkinsonAnnouncement of Student Awards
Presented by Dean MatthewIntroduction of Speaker
Dean MatthewThe diZerega Lecture/Ceremony Address
Nina TotenbergPresentation of Diplomas
Senior Associate Dean SchoonerCharge to the Graduates
Dean MatthewAlma Mater
Corcoran BrassRecessional
Corcoran Brass
Law School Diploma Celebration Program
Download the GW Law Diploma Celebration program PDF to view digitally or print at home.
Academic Awards Celebration
Congratulations to all class of 2024 graduates and academic award winners! A celebration recording is available.
Pro Bono Recognition Celebration
Congratulations to the 193 students in the graduating class who volunteered 57,314 pro bono hours.
Student Honors
Congratulations to all the recipients of student honors in the Class of 2024! Your diligence, commitment, and academic excellence have truly distinguished you, and we are incredibly proud of your achievements.
Commencement Schedule
Stay tuned for future updates on commencement events. View the full schedule of law events.
Dean's Reception
Saturday, May 18
7 pm
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Each graduate will receive 4 electronic tickets for themselves, family and friends
The Dean’s Reception will be held at the National Museum of African American History and Culture at 1400 Constitution Ave NW., Washington, DC.
University-Wide Commencement Celebration
Sunday, May 19
10:30 am
National Mall
Limit 6 guests
The University Commencement Ceremony on the Mall will begin with an academic procession at 10 am, and remarks will begin at 10:30 am. Each graduate will receive 6 electronic tickets for family and friends.
Law Diploma Celebration
Sunday, May 19
3 pm
Charles E. Smith Center
Limit 5 guests
Doors will open for guests at 2 pm
The Law School Diploma Ceremony will be held at the Charles E. Smith Center, 600 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC. The academic procession will begin at Funger Hall at 2:30 pm, and remarks will begin at 3 pm. Each graduate will receive 5 electronic tickets for family and friends.
Nina Totenberg
National Public Radio’s (NPR) Award-Winning Legal Affairs Correspondent and New York Times bestselling Author
2024 GW Law Commencement Speaker
A Message from the Dean
I am overjoyed to celebrate this momentous day with you. I know that you and your loved ones have looked forward to this day for a long time. Yours is a very special class to me. Throughout our years together, I’ve personally witnessed your passionate commitment to making an impact for good through the law that you have studied at GW Law. Now, more than ever, the world needs lawyers who are dedicated to bringing about change and justice, and I am confident that you will do just that.
As a group, you are academically gifted, passionate, articulate, and service oriented. It has been my great privilege to serve as your Dean. You are leaving here as professionals with the power to protect the principles of justice, equality, liberty, and freedom, and we look to you to help build a better world for us all. Now it’s time for you to craft your own pathway to practice—the options are limitless. The world’s most pressing challenges require the problem-solving skills with which your study of the law has equipped you. I charge you, by paraphrasing John Wesley, to use those skills to do all the good in the world that you can, at all the times that you can, to all the people that you can, for as long as ever you can.
Today, you join GW Law’s worldwide alumni community of 33,000 graduates, with whom you now share a transformative experience. You will find among the GW Law alumni network a vast number of preeminent leaders in all sectors of the economy and society—across the United States and around the globe. I encourage you to take advantage of this unique and powerful gift of belonging and make your fellow alumni a part of your journey for the rest of your professional lives.
Please keep in touch and come back and visit us often. We cannot wait to see your future achievements. Congratulations again on reaching this significant milestone and my very best wishes to each of you for good health, great happiness, and many successes.
Sincerely,
Dayna Bowen Matthew
Dean and Harold H. Greene Professor of Law
