Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon G. Lee encouraged University of Tennessee College of Law graduates to lead with integrity and use their law degrees for good during commencement ceremonies at Thompson Boling Arena Thursday.
Lee, the commencement speaker and a 1978 College of Law alumna, applauded the 2023 class for persisting through the challenging months of the COVID epidemic when in-person class meetings were moved online and traditional teaching methods were reimagined.
“You showed grit and determination when faced with adversity,” Lee said. “You persevered, you had courage, and you prevailed.”
Lee shared how her 26-year history as a small-town general practitioner in Madisonville, Tennessee eventually led her to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
“I am not exceptional by any means,” she said, “but I tell you this to let you know that I have had extraordinary opportunities because of my law degree from the University of Tennessee, and for that I am immensely grateful.”
Lee encouraged students to continue to have the courage to lead, serve and act.
“Use the rule of law to help those who are hopeless and unfavorably marginalized,” she said.
Graduate Alyx Thompson, who was selected by her classmates to address the group, also reminded the crowd of the challenges they faced throughout law school because of COVID.
“We exhibited courage and pushed ahead even when others told us to wait,” she said. “And in those Zoom happy hours, in the study rooms, in the office hours where we couldn’t figure out why that unreasonable person was so unreasonable, we formed a community.
“There’s nothing I’m more thankful for from my time at the UT College of Law than those relationships that will last a lifetime.”
A total of 111 J.D. students took part in the ceremonies with two of those students earning J.D./M.B.A. degrees. The College of Law also celebrated the graduation of its first seven students from the Master of Legal Studies program.
During their three years of law school, the J.D. graduates assisted in offering free legal services to individuals in the community who are unable to afford private representation by completing more than 6,000 hours of pro bono service.
Through the college’s annual class gift campaign, graduates contributed more than $61,600 in gifts and pledges to support student scholarships, faculty research and other law school initiatives.
