2022 Commencement
The George Washington University Law School
2022 School Celebration
Sunday, May 15
Congratulations to the George Washington University Law School Class of 2022!
The 155th Commencement of the George Washington University Law School was held on Sunday, May 15, 2022. Events took place throughout the weekend and included the Pro Bono Recognition Celebration, the Academic Awards Celebration, the Dean’s Reception, the University Commencement, and the GW Law Diploma Ceremony.
Watch the Recorded Diploma Celebration
- Order of Exercises
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Prelude and Processional
Corcoran BrassAnnouncement of the Diploma Ceremony
Michael B. Abramowicz
Senior Associate Dean for Academic AffairsNational Anthem
Promissory Notes
Danielle Barnes-Smith, John Killingbeck, Jennifer Kuh, Jadyn Marks, and Bradley NealWelcome
Dayna Bowen Matthew
Dean of the Law SchoolPresentation of Awards
Recognition of Grand Marshall - Weston Burnett, JD '75, LLM '83
Presented by Dean MatthewDistinguished Associate or Assistant Dean Award - Tammy Tideswell, Senior Associate Dean for Administrative Affairs
Presented by Jordan E. Michel, Class of 2022Distinguished Faculty Service Award - Peter J. Smith, Arthur Selwyn Miller Research Professor
Presented by Mr. MichelDistinguished Staff Service Award - Bobby Walis, Information Specialist
Presented by Mr. MichelMichael D. Cooley Memorial Award - Tyrus Jackson, Class of 2022
Presented by Mr. MichelStudent Bar Association Distinguished Service Award - Jordan E. Michel, Class of 2022
Presented by Dean MatthewStudent Bar Association Recognition Award - Michael S. Levine, Visiting Professor of Law, Fundamentals of Lawyering
Presented by Mr. MichelDistinguished Adjunct Faculty Service Award - Dan E. Stigall, Distinguished Professorial Lecturer in National Security Law and Randall D. Eliason, Professorial Lecturer in Law
Presented by Dean MatthewAnnouncement of Student Awards
Presented by Dean MatthewIntroduction of Speaker
Dean MatthewThe diZerega Lecture/Ceremony Address
Susan Ellis Wild, JD '82Presentation of Diplomas
Senior Associate Dean AbramowiczCharge to the Graduates
Dean MatthewAlma Mater
Promissory NotesRecessional
Corcoran Brass
Download the GW Law Diploma Celebration program PDF to view digitally or print at home.
2022 Commencement Celebration Schedule
In addition to the law school diploma celebration, we are recognizing our 2022 graduates in other ways. View the full schedule.
Dean's Reception
Saturday, May 14, 2022
7-9 pm
Limit 3 guests
The Dean’s Reception will be held at the National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution) at 8th and G Streets NW, Washington, DC. Each graduate will receive 3 electronic tickets for family and friends.
University-wide commencement celebration
Sunday, May 15, 2022
10:30 am
Limit 6 guests
The University Commencement Ceremony on the Mall will begin with the 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 School diploma Celebration
Sunday, May 15, 2022
3 pm
Limit 5 guests
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.
Pro Bono Recognition Celebration
Watch the recorded Pro Bono Recognition Celebration below.
Academic Awards
Congratulations to all graduates and academic award winners of 2022
Congratulations Class of 2022
I am overjoyed to celebrate this momentous day with you. After two years of Commencement ceremonies on our computer screens, we are finally back together in person. I know that you and your loved ones have looked forward to this day for a long time. Your GW Law journey took place under the most extraordinary circumstances, and you weathered a global pandemic to emerge to this day triumphantly, inspiring us all with your hard work, dedication, and resilience.
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 who are engaged, analytical, and thoughtful about the law. Now it’s time for you to craft your own pathway to practice -- the options are limitless. The world’s most pressing challenges need the problem-solving skills that your study of the law has equipped you to bring. You have shown by the impressive number of hours of pro bono work your class has contributed that you are dedicated to working for the greater good and building a better world for us all. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that you are going to do just that.
Today, you join GW Law’s worldwide alumni community of 33,000 graduates, with whom you have shared a transformative experience. You will find among the GW Law alumni network a vast number of preeminent leaders in all sectors of the economy-- across the United States and around the globe. I encourage you to take advantage of this unique and powerful gift of belonging—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. Your time at GW Law has prepared you to impact the world, and we can’t 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
2022 Diploma Ceremony Speaker
Susan Ellis Wild, JD '82
Congresswoman Susan Ellis Wild (D-PA), the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District and a graduate of GW Law’s Class of 1982, will deliver the keynote address at the Law School Diploma Ceremony on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
Representative Wild, who was elected to Congress for the first time in November 2018, was a member of the largest class of freshman women (36) to enter the U.S. House of Representatives and is the first woman to go to Congress from her district in Pennsylvania. She also is the mother of recent GW Law grad Clay Wild, JD ’20.
549
JD Graduates
101
LLM Graduates
16
MSL Graduates
74,229
Total Pro Bono Hours Volunteered
GW ALMA MATER
Hail Alma Mater
To thy spirit guiding,
Knowledge thy closest friend
In its strength abiding,
Pledge we fidelity
Ne'er its place resigning,
Hail thee George Washington!