2014 Commencement: Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law

After the hours of classes, studying and preparing, the JD and LL.M. students of Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law received their respective law degrees and are ready to head out into the world. Commencement exercises for the Class of 2014 took place on
Friday, May 23, 2014 at 5 p.m. on the Holly & David Wilson Field at Chapman University.

The 2014 keynote speaker for the Fowler School of Law was the Honorable Raymond C. Fisher, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. “We all get to where we are with the help of others,” said Judge Fisher at the beginning of his speech. He continued to explain how unexpected people and events changed the path of his career and brought him to this point. Judge Fisher encouraged the graduates to be open to and look for these opportunities.

Following Judge Fisher, Fowler School of Law Dean Tom Campbell and Chapman University President James L. Doti presented Dale E. Fowler with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In 2013, Chapman University’s law school was the recipient of the second largest reported gift to any law school in the United States thanks to a $55 million donation from prominent real estate developer Dale E. Fowler and his wife Sarah Ann. The law school was named “The Dale E. Fowler School of Law” in September 2013.

During the graduation banquet the night before, several students were also honored for their involvement or academic achievement at the law school. The 2014 Valedictorian and the recipient of the Carmelina Doti Academic Excellence Award was Blake Joseph Corry. Dean Campbell then introduced the following 2014 Academic Honors:

Summa cum Laude:

• Blake Joseph Corry

Magna cum Laude:

• Andrew Shaun Gahan
• Dana Lauren Humrighouse
• Nancy J. Sandoval
• Dallis Nicole Warshaw
• Adam J. Weidner

Cum Laude:

• Kendall Maria Bober
• Brandon Dale Howard
• John O. Steiner
• Alison Casey Bollbach
• Sophia Sadat Nabavi
• Leah Marie Walker
• Stephan Michael Brown
• Nicole Andrea Naleway
• Ashley Morgan Watkins
• Marissa Kuuipo Cale
• Heidi J. Post
• Sara Ashley Zimmerman
• Catherine Helen Conroy
• Cyrus Shahbazian

Eghosa Courage Isibor

Raymond Michael Gennawey III delivered the JD response during the commencement ceremonies. “Over the past three years we truly became a family,” Gennawey said. He emphasized this point using humor and specific examples from his years at Fowler School of Law.

Following Gennawey, graduating LL.M. student Eghosa Courage Isibor delivered the LL.M. response. Isibor, who came to Fowler from Nigeria, said that when choosing a law school in the United States, it was important to him to find a school with diversity. “I envisioned a school where students from different nations, ethnicities and backgrounds can cross-pollinate ideas in an intellectually stimulating environment,” he said.

Breaking tradition, this year the M. Katherine Baird Darmer Outstanding Professor of the Year Award was presented to two professors: Susanna K. Ripken and Celestine R. McConville. This award was voted on by the third year students and resulted in a rare tie.

Members of the Class of 2014

Masters of Laws Graduates

Juris Doctor Graduates

Students Graduating with an Emphasis

Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Emphasis

Business Law Emphasis

Entertainment Law Emphasis

Environmental, Land Use and Real Estate Law Emphasis

International Law Emphasis

Tax Emphasis

Thank you to all the graduates, faculty and staff that made this commencement possible. View the recording of the Commencement Exercises for the Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law Class of 2014.