(Picture by John Marshall Law, of Assoc. Judge William Yu)
On May 6th, the University of Illinois Chicago, came together for the commencement ceremony of the 2022 John Marshall Law School. This graduating class is the first class to have an in-person graduation since 2019.
With nearly a full house at the Credit Union 1 Area, the anxiously awaiting graduates were surrounded by family and friends on this special night. As well as a stage full of notable alumni, including commencement guest speaker, William Yu.
William Yu, associate judge for the Domestic Relations Division of the Cook County Circuit Court, welcomed the graduates and families for this joyous occasion.
Read more: Assoc.Judge William Yu addresses UIC class of 2022 as ‘The guardians of the Constitution and the advocates for the powerless”Welcoming the audience by starting off with thanking the community and the school for asking him to celebrate this special night with the graduates.
While congratulating the graduates, he shared little antidotes of his own law school days, “just being here brings back a flood of memories, and a handful of nightmares.”
But rest assured, Yu chimes in lightheartedly, “But I made it, and so have you all now.”
Congratulating them on this honor alone wasn’t enough but recognizing the dedication and hard work that went into their entire academia.
“Today is a very special day because you all are closing a long, tedious chapter and starting a thrilling new one with one another.” Yu made it known that this was not a process done alone, shouting out the help of peers and families both in attendance and those who couldn’t join us.
A feeling synonymous with graduates all over the world after enduring an almost entirely virtual college experience.
Calling it a “tremendous triumph” and one that “required great dedication and perseverance”.
He then went on to share a story of Ketanji Brown Jackson, who has to overcome a number of challenges to be the first ever Black woman on the Supreme Court.
An experience many in the audience can attest to and can relate, many of the graduates were 1st generational lawyers and had their fair share with stereotypes and restrictions.
The story goes that Ketanji Brown Jackson was walking through her campus of Harvard University, and crossed paths with another Black woman who only told her one word, persevere.
Encouraging graduates to adapt to the new normal. That this everchanging world we now live in may not be fit to us and or needs, but by no means should that slow you down.
Yu offered advice that every graduate, or just any individual anywhere in their live should hear, “Recognize that not all paths are linear.”
A piece of advice that so many people need to hear, especially students who have gone to school through the pandemic, taken all the curveballs with ease and can continue to find their higher education.
Ending his speech with encouragement to the future lawyers of our generation, to “work hard, especially when no one’s watching” All of these words of wisdom seem self-explanatory but for these graduates, their whole education was pretty much self-explanatory.
The entirety of 2021-2022 was held on zoom for John Marshall Law students, no option to even go into campus or meet with anyone on campus.
And yet here they are, they persevered.
The class of 2022 was more than ready to throw their caps in the air and celebrate when the time came.
Following William Yu’s speech was Student Bar Association President, Fredrick T.J. Joshua, fellow graduating member of the class of 2022 to conclude the ceremony.
MFJS Reporter Spring 2022 