2024 Commencement

The George Washington University Law School

2024 School Celebration

Sunday, May 19, 2024

 

Three graduates posting for a photo after the diploma ceremony.

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!

Commencement Recap

 

  

Watch the Diploma Celebration Recording

Order of Exercises

Prelude and Processional
Corcoran Brass

Announcement of the Diploma Ceremony
Steven L. Schooner
Jeffrey & Martha Kohn Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

National Anthem
Corcoran Brass

Welcome
Dayna Bowen Matthew
Dean of the Law School

Presentation of Awards
Recognition of Grand Marshall - Jeffrey Kohn, JD '84
Presented by Dean Matthew

Student Bar Association President's Remarks
Shallum Atkinson, Class of 2024

Distinguished Associate or Assistant Dean Award - Laurie Kohn, Jacob Burns Foundation Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Presented by Mr. Atkinson

Distinguished Faculty Service Award - Kate Weisburd, Associate Professor of Law
Presented by Mr. Atkinson

Distinguished Staff Service Award - Bobby Walis, Information Specialist
Presented by Mr. Atkinson

Michael D. Cooley Memorial Award - Phoebe Fisher, Class of 2024
Presented by Mr. Atkinson

Student Bar Association Distinguished Service Award - Shallum Atkinson, Class of 2024
Presented by Dean Matthew

Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Service Award - Caroline Rogus, Professorial Lecturer in Law; Dan Stigall, Professorial Lecturer in Law
Presented by Mr. Atkinson

Announcement of Student Awards
Presented by Dean Matthew

Introduction of Speaker
Dean Matthew

The diZerega Lecture/Ceremony Address
Nina Totenberg

Presentation of Diplomas
Senior Associate Dean Schooner

Charge to the Graduates
Dean Matthew

Alma Mater
Corcoran Brass

Recessional
Corcoran Brass

 

  

 

 

Law School Diploma Celebration Program

Download the GW Law Diploma Celebration program PDF to view digitally or print at home.

Download Program (PDF)

 

 

  

 

Academic Awards Celebration

Congratulations to all class of 2024 graduates and academic award winners! A celebration recording is available.

Award Recipients

Pro Bono Recognition Celebration

Congratulations to the 193 students in the graduating class who volunteered 57,314 pro bono hours.

Pro Bono Honors Recipients

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.

Honors Recipients (PDF)

 

Commencement Schedule

Stay tuned for future updates on commencement events. View the full schedule of law events.

May 18 calendar graphic

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.

May 19 calendar graphic

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.

May 19 calendar graphic

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

Read More  

 

  

 

Dean Matthew headshot

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,

Dean Matthew signature

Dayna Bowen Matthew
Dean and Harold H. Greene Professor of Law