On Sunday, May 5, we celebrated our newest alumni during our spring 2024 commencement ceremony and reception. During the ceremony, we conferred degrees on 170 J.D. graduates, 24 LL.M. graduates, and 76 J.M. graduates. All members of the Class of 2024 should be extremely proud of their hard work and accomplishments during their time at FSU Law. United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe (’99) gave the commencement address. He offered the graduates advice for their future careers, focusing on resiliency. Lapointe told the graduates, “It’s not enough for you to actually reach resiliency for yourself… But when you see someone about to give up on themselves, remind them… of your own failures. Sharing your failures, not only liberates you—yourself, but it reassures as an antidote to their own failures and insecurities.”

In addition, we recognized several special members of our community during the ceremony. FSU Law SBA President Vivekka Suppiah presented the Open Door Faculty Award to Professor Justin Sevier for going above and beyond mentoring law students. I had the privilege of presenting the Juris Master Leading the Way Award to graduate Dr. Alexis Perdereaux-Weekes for being an example to his fellow J.M. students. The Raising the Bar Award was presented to J.D. graduate Kevin Griffin for consistently exemplifying the ideals of professionalism within the law school community, including exhibiting a positive attitude, a devotion to honesty, integrity and good character, a strong work ethic, civility with colleagues, a desire to help others and a sense of humor.

A special thank you to Markenzy Lapointe, FSU President Richard McCullough, Trustee Maximo Alvarez, the FSU Law faculty, and many others for helping to make this celebration inspiring, uplifting, and memorable for our graduates! You can view a recording of the ceremony online.