Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Mon, 14 May 2012

Liberty University School of Law Calls On Sixth Graduating Class
to Continue the Tradition of Excellence

Ninety law students participated in the annual graduations ceremonies on May 12, 2012, as Liberty University School of Law commissioned its sixth graduating class.  

The class was honored and acknowledged for their academic accomplishment during the law school’s annual hooding ceremony. The hooding of graduates signifies the attainment of a doctorate degree in law.

Mathew D. Staver, dean and professor of law, opened the ceremony with thanks to the Lord and offered celebratory remarks to the graduating class.  “We gather on this day to honor and celebrate your accomplishments over the last three years and we celebrate in anticipation of all that you will do and achieve throughout the days of your lives.”  

Featured speakers for the 2012 School of Law commencement exercises included Student Bar Association (SBA) President Alexandra Shubert, summa cum laude graduate Benjamin Kontaxes, and Spirit of Liberty award recipient Kristal Dahlager.  The Spirit of Liberty award is given to the student who has demonstrated excellence in spiritual and moral character, who has excelled academically and in co-curricular activities, who has a strong commitment to the mission of the law school, and who is an exemplary model of servant-leadership.

Prior to the actually hooding ceremony, Dean Staver encouraged the class and added, “We live in a time where some of our liberties and values are being challenged and are under attack.  You have been uniquely trained unlike in any other law school.  As a result, your opportunities become your responsibilities.  You have a choice to use your skills to restore the foundations of law. You should live your lives know that ‘Through God, all things are possible.’”

Additional comments from the weekend’s commencement speakers:

“From the very beginning, God has had a plan of hope – a future for each of us.  Our lives should not be about fame or riches, or power, but to live out God’s plan and bring Him the glory.  Through Him, we should welcome the future with boldness.” – Benjamin Kontaxes

“Be a servant for God – walk boldly and never forget your purpose as an attorney and as a Christian.  God has been faithful to us [the Class of 2012] these last three years and we are called to be faithful to Him.  “For to whom much has been given, much is expected in return.” – Luke 12:48.” – Alexandra Shubert

“God has absolutely been present these last three years at Liberty University School of Law.  He has become our rock and strength in the difficult times. My prayer, as we [the Class of 2012] leave from Liberty, is that we will live out Ephesians 3.  “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people…Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” – Krystal Dahlager