On
June 6, 2010, the Law School’s 296 J.D. candidates and 20 LL.M.
candidates convened at Carnesecca Arena for the 140th
Commencement Exercises. Associate Academic Dean and Professor of
Law Margaret Valentine Turano
‘77L served as Director of Proceedings for the ceremony that
included over 4,000 family, friends, faculty, administrators, staff
and alumni in the Law School community.
Welcoming the students and their guests, Dean Michael A. Simons expressed a
“teacher’s pride” in the accomplishments of a class that has come
far in its three years at St. John’s to “embody the Vincentian
commitment to justice that lies at the heart of this University.”
Noting that they are entering a profession of “tremendous
opportunities and challenges,” he encouraged the graduates to
continue serving the common good in their work as lawyers and
beyond. After St. John’s University President Rev. Donald J. Harrington,
C.M. presented him with an honorary Doctor of Laws
degree, the Honorable Denny
Chin of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit delivered the commencement address. Sharing his delight at
“joining the St. John’s family,” he acknowledged the Law School’s
“wonderful tradition of preparing students for public service.” He
then retraced his steps through a distinguished legal career that
took him from unsure law student to federal law clerk and Assistant
United States Attorney to private practitioner to the federal
bench, where he presided over a number of high-profile cases,
including the recent sentencing of fallen financier Bernard L.
Madoff.
Noting that he is the only active Asian-American federal appeals
judge in the country, Judge Chin shared that he is who he is today
because of the heroic sacrifices and support of his family. His
“trailblazer” grandfather came to the United States from China in
1916 and worked as a waiter in Chinese restaurants. He became a
U.S. Citizen in 1947 and later brought his family to New York from
Hong Kong when Judge Chin was two years old. Raising their family
in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen, Judge Chin’s father worked as a
cook in a Chinese restaurant while his mother worked as a
seamstress. “Remember the impact that the law had on your family’s
lives, good and bad,” Judge Chin said. “Remember those who came
before us; those who need our help now; and those who will need our
help in the future.”
Graduate Stephanie Singer reflected on the event and Judge Chin’s
message, stating: “I’m so happy to share this milestone with my
mother, who came from California to be with me today. She’s been so
supportive of me and my studies at St. John’s. Judge Chin reminded
me how important it is to honor that. He was very inspiring. I’ll
take that inspiration with me as I study for the bar and move
forward in my career.”
The graduation ceremonies were dedicated to the memory of two
beloved students, Dianne Marie Arrue 3L and Tyler Ramaker 2L, and
to distinguished Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law Patrick J.
Rohan ‘54UC, ‘56L.