UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
SCHOOL OF LAW COMMENCEMENT
SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021 ST. PAUL, MN
FROM THE DEAN
Welcome to the University of St. Thomas School of Law commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to gather in person to celebrate these graduates. The degrees we bestow in today’s ceremony are a credit to their hard work and perseverance, and to the dedication of a faculty and staff deeply committed to their success. Of course, the support of family and friends has also played an immeasurable role. Thanks to the parents, spouses, loved ones and friends who have traveled this journey with our graduates. At St. Thomas Law, we prepare our students for a cause greater than themselves. That cause is captured best by the term “solidarity,” and it shows up in our law school as a shared vision of the common good; a commitment to social justice, service and community; and a level of excellence in teaching and mentoring that prepares students to become accomplished servant leaders. Over the past fourteen months, members of the Class of 2021 have been tested in ways we could never have imagined, and the solidarity they have modeled will inspire our community for many years to come.
Again, welcome, and enjoy the day.
Robert K. Vischer Dean and Mengler Chair in Law
SCHEDULE
PROCESSIONAL
WELCOME Robert K. Vischer Dean and Mengler Chair in Law
INVOCATION Father Christopher Collins, S.J. Incoming Vice-President for Mission
STUDENT REFLECTION Sarah Williams J.D. Class of 2021
KEYNOTE ADDRESS Katherian Roe Federal Defender, District of Minnesota
DISTRIBUTION OF HOODS Robert K. Vischer Dean and Mengler Chair in Law Professor of the Year
CONFERRING OF DEGREES Dr. Julie H. Sullivan President of the University of St. Thomas
RECESSIONAL
St. Thomas requires social distancing and face coverings while on campus.
After the ceremony, please follow the signage and ushers' directions for exiting the stadium.
ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS
AND COMPLIANCE
CLASS OF 2021
Richard Kenneth Anderson (M.S.L.) B.S. South Dakota State University
Rhonda M. Bakken (M.S.L.) B.S. University of Minnesota - Crookston
Kaku Asfaw Benti (M.S.L.) B.S. University of Northwestern - St. Paul M.B.A. Hamline University
Agustin Acosta Cardenas (LL.M.) LL.B. La Univ San Francisco de Quito LL.M. New York University
Jill Naomi Floden (M.S.L.) B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Cassandra K. Gripp (M.S.L.) B.A. Western Illinois University
Jodea S. Johnson (M.S.L) B.S. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities M.B.A. Western Governors University
Mily Patricia Lawrence (M.S.L.) B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Elizabeth Larson (M.S.L.) B.S. University of Wisconsin - Stout
Lolaunda Love (M.S.L.) B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Alicia T. Mckinney (LL.M.) B.S. College of Mount St. Vincent M.S. College of Mount St. Vincent J.D. Hofstra University
Rajan Nayar (M.S.L.) B.S. University of Wisconsin - River Falls
ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS
AND COMPLIANCE
CLASS OF 2021
Deqa Omar (M.S.L.) B.S. St. Cloud State University
Carrie Thysse O'Neill (LL.M.) B.A. Clemson University J.D. University of St. Thomas School of Law
Kaitlyn Palm (M.S.L.) B.A. Luther College
William Jeffery Roach (M.S.L.) B.S. University of Mary
Tiffany Nicole Roberts (M.S.L.) B.S. Metropolitan State University
Rosanne E. Stoltz (M.S.L.) B.S. St. Cloud State University M.B.A. University of St Thomas
Scott Swanson (LL.M.) B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College M.A. University of St Thomas J.D. William Mitchell College of Law
Yulia Vinnytska-Kvamme (M.S.L.) B.S. Rasmussen College
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Tyler James Alger B.S. Northwestern College - Iowa
Jessica Marie Ally** B.S. University of Mary
Timothy Patrick Anderson B.A. Bethel University
Richard Hale Anderson B.A. University of Denver M.S. Pace University - New York City
Steven Paul Aune B.S. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Christine E. Barkley B.A. St. Olaf College
Lauren Elaine Bazley B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Christina Kay Benson B.A. Luther College
Harrison E. Berg** B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Molly Frances Billion B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Katherine Joan Boland B.A. Seton Hall University
Mikayla R. Boyer B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Samantha Christine Bragg B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
Lars Andrew Brevik B.S. North Dakota State University
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Trevor Jared Brink B.A. St. Cloud State University
Daniel J. Buchmeier B.A. St. Olaf College
Jack Michael Buck B.S. North Dakota State University
Meghan Leigh Byrnes B.A. Luther College
Paulo Matheus Carvalho Chaves de Castro LL.B. Faculdade 7 de Setembro LL.M. University of St. Thomas
John Thomas Christian B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Allison Elizabeth Cole B.A. Oberlin College
Nicholas J. Colombo B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Madalyn Grace O'Halloran Cotter B.A. University of St. Thomas
Darielle Criss-McKellar** B.A. University of Missouri - Columbia
Edward Joseph Davalle III^ B.A. Austin College
Elizabeth A. Davis B.A. University of Wisconsin - Madison
John G. Dixon B.S. Southern Illinois University - Carbondale M.Acc. Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
Maxwell John Donohue B.S. University of Arizona
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Marc W. Dosser B.S. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Kristin Yeong Eales B.S. Arizona State University
Shannon Elizabeth Eckman B.A. Creighton University
Steven Jon Eiden B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
Westin L. Eikmeier** B.S. Colorado State U Fort Collins M.B.A. University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Carl Edward Erickson B.A. Northwestern College - Iowa
Tia Jo Erickson B.A. St. Cloud State University
Ashley Rae Everett B.A. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Benjamin Michael Feller B.S. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Eden Fere B.A. Hamline University
Carly Jo Foor B.A. University of Wisconsin - Platteville
Allison Ann Freese B.A. Creighton University
Alexander Connor Gallwas B.S. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Madison Paige Heath Gambucci B.A. Winona State University
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Caroline Rose Geiger B.A. Austin College
Mary Susan Gerber B.S. Florida State University M.S. Florida State University
Benjamin Donald Gilchrist B.B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Jackson Riley Graham B.A. Augsburg College
Jacob Grow B.A. University of St. Thomas
Rachel Thibeault Hampson B.A. St. Michael's College - Vermont M.A. University of Florida
Nicolas Louis Hanson B.A. University of North Dakota
McKenzie L. Harter B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Samuel David Harvey B.S. University of St. Thomas
Kyle Robert Heim B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Joseph R. Heinrichs B.A. Briar Cliff University
Madison J. Hess B.A. University of Minnesota - Morris
Andrew J. Hildebrandt^ B.A. University of St. Thomas
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Jacob B. Hiti B.A. Metropolitan State University
Hayley Ann Howe B.S. University of St. Thomas
Megan Lauren Hsiang B.S. Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Danni Hu B.A. Nottingham Trent University M.A. University of Durham
Sara A. Hunemiller B.A. Iowa State University
Hussein Moussa Issa B.S. University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
Antonia K Jacobse B.A. Florida Gulf Coast University
Jonah Charles James B.S. College of New Rochelle
Samantha Johnson B.S. Iowa State University
Kira Anna-Neaurece Karels B.S. North Dakota State University
Brenna Genevieve Karrer B.A. University of Iowa
Alexander David Klein B.A. University of St. Thomas
Sarah A. Koziol B.F.A. School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Megan Elizabeth Kratzke B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Joshua V. Krishnan* B.S. Winona State University
Sawyer T. Kuck B.S. Miami University - Oxford
Claire Christian Kueffner B.S. Tulane University
Stefan C. Landreau B.A. Lewis & Clark College
Katelyn Mary Montoya Lano B.A. University of St. Thomas
Raquel Justine Lara B.S. Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Samantha Lawlor B.A. Iowa State University
Caitlin Jane Levy B.A. University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Breanna C. Lien B.A. St. Catherine University
Shannon Michelle Lundgren B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Carissa Noelle Maher B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Catrina M. Mairose B.S. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Gabrielle Jane Martone B.S. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Jordan A. Mason B.A. Carthage College
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Aaron Charles McCrossan B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Nathan D. McDonald B.A. University of St. Thomas
Carolyn Clare McDonnell B.A. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point M.A. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Kailey M. Meadows B.S. Austin Peay State University
Casey Krolczyk Meinhardt B.A. University of Puget Sound
Austin Marcus Mogard B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Christopher M. Molloy B.S. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Marisa Camile Morgan B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
Melanie I. Nelson B.A. Bethel University
Jordan M. Ortmeier B.A. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Dolapo A. Oshin B.S. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Trevor Allan Paulson B.A. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Michael Joe Pfau B.A. North Dakota State University
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Riley Pierre B.A. University of St. Thomas
Adam Louis Pilon† B.A. University of St. Thomas
Amanda Rose Pilon B.S. Xavier University
Kate E. Polman B.S. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Mark Michael Prince B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Nicholas Nolan Rapisarda B.A. University of St. Thomas
John Robert Rasmussen B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
Anthony T. Rauschendorfer+ B.S.W. University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Wendy R. Raymond B.A. St. Olaf College
Riley John Reinhart B.A. University of St. Thomas M.S. Full Sail University
Samuel Kenneth Renner B.S. Drake University
Spencer Raymond Riegelman B.S. Winona State University
Brittany Michelle Riehm** B.A. St. Cloud State University
Marina Louise Rizzo B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Christopher F. Ross B.A. Southwest Minnesota State University
Aaron John Roy B.A. University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Shaina Rae Rud Aga** B.A. St. Olaf College M.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Amanda Evelyn Sackmaster B.A. Boston College
Eduardo Salgado Diaz B.S. University of St. Thomas M.Ed. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Makayla Ann Schneider B.S. North Dakota State University
Maya J. Schulte B.S. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Mackenzie Elizabeth Sedlack B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Halley Fay Shanley B.A. Illinois Wesleyan University
Christopher Sharpe B.A. Augustana University
Maghan LeAnne Singleton B.A. University of South Alabama
Austen P. Soare B.A. St. Cloud State University
Hannah B. Spencer B.A. Western Washington University
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Garrett Scott Stadler B.S. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Samuel Carter Strom B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Jonathan M. Sturtz B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Abby N. Sunberg B.A. University of St. Thomas
Cianna Guerra Swanson B.A. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Sarah Theisen B.A. Mount Holyoke College
Ryan James Todd B.A. University of Texas - San Antonio
Joseph C. Tourand B.B.A. American Public University System
Ellie M. Trebilcock B.A. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Dylan J. Wallace B.A. University of St. Thomas
James T. Wallrich B.A. University of St. Thomas
Hannah Marie Weber B.A. University of St. Thomas
Mackenzie Katherine Wieburg B.A. University of Washington
Sarah Sibongile Williams B.A. Mayville State University
J.D. CLASS OF 2021
Monica Anne Wittner B.S. Bemidji State University
Jiawen Yang LL.B. Shenzhen University LL.M. University of Sussex
Deneese Ting-Ting Yang B.B.A. Hamline University
Mariah Jo Zell B.A. Mitchell College
† earned joint J.D./M.A. degrees ^ earned joint J.D./M.B.A. degrees + earned joint J.D./M.S.W. degrees ** December 2020 graduate
* December 2021 graduate
GRADES AND HONORS
Summa Cum Laude Alexander David Klein Abby N. Sunberg Sarah Theisen Magna Cum Laude Timothy Patrick Anderson Steven Jon Eiden Samuel David Harvey Claire Christian Kueffner
Catrina M. Mairose Jordan M. Ortmeier Adam Louis Pilon
Spencer Raymond Riegelman Amanda Evelyn Sackmaster Cianna Guerra Swanson Dylan J. Wallace Cum Laude Tyler James Alger Molly Frances Billion Samantha Christine Bragg Elizabeth A. Davis Carl Edward Erickson Alexander Connor Gallwas Mary Susan Gerber Benjamin Donald Gilchrist Rachel Thibeault Hampson Danni Hu Antonia K. Jacobse Gabrielle Jane Martone Nathan D. McDonald Carolyn Clare McDonnell Kailey M. Meadows Melanie I. Nelson Michael Joe Pfau John Robert Rasmussen Aaron John Roy
Garrett Scott Stadler Jonathan M. Sturtz
These honors are tentative. The final determination of honors will be based on a graduate’s entire academic record.
PUBLIC SERVICE
Each of today’s J.D. graduates has completed at least 50 hours of community service work as part of his or her legal education at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. The public service requirement is fashioned on the belief that all lawyers – and for that matter all people – have an obligation to share the gifts with which they have been blessed. The class as a whole completed more than 10,100 hours of community service work. For the students listed below, public service is clearly more than a requirement for graduation. The number of service hours each recorded over his or her three years of law school is inspiring and extraordinary. It is fitting that their accomplishments should be recognized today.
400-499 Hours Katherine Boland Samantha Lawlor
200-299 Hours Meghan Byrnes Sarah Koziol
John Rasmussen Wendy Raymond Spencer Riegelman Joseph Tourand 100-199 Hours John Dixon Sara Hunemiller Carolyn McDonnell Austin Mogard Trevor Paulson Amanda Pilon Mackenzie Sedlack Austen Soare
MINNESOTA JUSTICE
FOUNDATION SERVICE
The J.D. graduating class of 2021 performed more than 5,100 hours of law-related public service, which benefited nearly 1,100 clients, during their time at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Of the 140 graduates, 29 students completed more than 50 hours of law-related public service.
800+ Hours John Dixon
400+ Hours Katherine Boland Maghan Singleton Mariah Zell
300+ Hours Allison Freese
200+ Hours Meghan Byrnes Spencer Riegelman 100+ Hours Richard Anderson Ashley Everett Caroline Geiger Mary Susan Gerber Sara Hunemiller Samantha Lawlor Shaina Rud Aga Austen Soare
50+ Hours
Eden Fere Andrew Hildebrandt
Eduardo Salgado Diaz Mackenzie Sedlack Halley Shanley Christopher Sharpe Ryan Todd Christina Van Nevel Dylan Wallace
Katelyn Lano Raquel Lara Michael Pfau Kate Polman Anthony Rauschendorfer
MISSION AWARDS
The University of St. Thomas School of Law, as a Catholic law school, is dedicated to integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice. To advance this mission, each member of the law school community is dedicated to promoting excellence in professional preparation, scholarly engagement and societal reform, and service and community. Each year, St. Thomas Law celebrates involvement and leadership in activities that support the school’s mission through its annual Living the Mission Awards. One member of each class who best exemplifies the mission, both in and out of the classroom, is presented with an overall Living the Mission Award. Awards are also presented for Excellence in Professional Preparation, Scholarly Engagement and Societal Reform, and Service and Community. Congratulations to the members of our 2021 graduating classes who have been honored with Mission Awards during their law school careers.
Service and Community John G. Dixon Sarah A. Koziol Wendy R. Raymond Ryan James Todd
Scholarly Engagement and Societal Reform Sara A. Hunemiller
Living the Mission Adam Louis Pilon Sarah Sibongile Williams
NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS
The University of St. Thomas School of Law recognizes and thanks the generous donors who paid it forward, establishing pivotal scholarships for access, excellence and impact. As we thank family, friends and others for their gifts, we recognize the important role philanthropy plays in supporting our students, our community and our mission. Archbishop Flynn Law Scholarship Ballard Spahr Law Diversity Scholarship Black Law Students Association Annual Scholarship Board of Governors Scholarship Briggs and Morgan Annual Scholarship
Class of 2004 Annual Scholarship Class of 2005 Annual Scholarship Class of 2006 Annual Scholarship Class of 2007 Annual Scholarship Class of 2008 Annual Scholarship Class of 2009 Annual Scholarship Conlin & Goetz Endowed Scholarship Delta Theta Phi Annual Scholarship Dorsey and Whitney Endowed Scholarship Dwyer and Kanca Law School Scholarship Fish and Richardson Scholarship Gherty Family Scholarship Hank Shea Scholarship Hendricks Family Endowed Scholarship John D. Herrick Endowed Scholarship Judge Diana E. Murphy Scholarship Klos Family Endowed Scholarship Larkin Legal Scholarship Lathrop GPM Law Scholarship Law School Annual Scholarship
Leonard Street and Deinard Scholarship Ballard Spahr Law Diversity Scholarship Michael and Ann Ciresi Endowed Scholarship Nilan Johnson Lewis Scholarship Pio Cardinal Laghi Endowed Scholarship Quentin and Sara Hietpas Endowed Scholarship Rob and Amy Parish Endowed Scholarship Robins Kaplan Scholarship School of Law Mission in Action Scholarship School of Law Professors Scholarship Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner Annual Scholarship Steve Tourek Scholarship Stocks Family Endowed Scholarship
Target Corporation Diversity Scholarship Thomas M. Mengler Endowed Scholarship Thomas P. Dolphin Endowed Scholarship Wheaton Endowed Scholarship
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Maureen Bausch John L. Carr The Hon. Margaret H. Chutich Michael V. Ciresi Christopher J. Dolan Thomas P. Dolphin, Sr. Robert J. Dwyer, Jr. Robert R. Fafinski, Jr. Bryan Feldhaus Elizabeth M. Forsythe John W. Geelan, Jr. Judy Hallett Stuart C. Harvey, Jr. The Hon. Elizabeth A. Hayden Jack P. Helms John D. Herrick Thomas E. Holloran
B. Todd Jones Eileen M. Lach Jeremy Lane
Laurence F. LeJeune Thomas A. Letscher
Robert C. Lux Susan Marvin Heather M. McElroy-Goerger
Michael F. McFadden Michael D. McHugh
John M. Morrison Jessie R. Nicholson Catherine X. Pan-Giordano
Patrick G. Ryan Ronald J. Schutz James J. Seifert Morris M. Sherman
Brian P. Short Eric J. Skytte Sandra S. Smalley-Fleming Julie H. Sullivan Alex Tittle Laura H. Witte
ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE ADVISORY BOARD
Michael Brennan Adam Briggs Chris Collin Michele M. Duncan
Michael Duran Robert L. Foehl
Peggy Kubicz Hall Shannon Hendricks Tony Heredia
Jeffrey Johnson Dawn Kimmich Steve Koslow Jack Lenzi Laura Lonsdale Ash Mishra Joanne Mullen Daniel R. Roach Ann Scovil Sheilah Stewart Tobi Tanzer
Justin D. Windschitl Pamela K. Ziermann
FACULTY
Steven M. Adams Thomas C. Berg
Benjamin C. Carpenter Teresa Stanton Collett Jennifer L. Cornell Robert J. Delahunty Mariana H.C. Gonstead Mitchell Gordon Daniel F. Griffith Neil W. Hamilton Thomas E. Holloran Lyman P. Johnson Thomas R. Joyce Wulf A. Kaal Robert A. Kahn Dennis L. Monroe Rachel Moran Joel A. Nichols Jerome M. Organ Julie A. Oseid Mark W. Osler Rachel K. Paulose Michael S. Paulsen Charles J. Reid, Jr. Michael J. Robak Elizabeth R. Schiltz Rebecca H. Scholtz Henry J. Shea Gregory C. Sisk Susan J. Stabile Artika R. Tyner Robert K. Vischer
Carl M. Warren Virgil O. Wiebe Yohuru Williams
STAFF
Jill S. Akervik Monica P. Anderson
Wendy E. Biddle Henry R. Bishop Christina L. Botts Lisa Montpetit Brabbit Cristina R. Calderón Phuong Uyen T. Campbell
Niki M.C. Catlin Kerry M. Conboy Sally P. Dahlquist Colleen M. Dorsey Angela M. Dzik Katie K. Flood
Monica K. Gould Cari L. Haaland Monica Y. Habia Laurette L. Hankom Carrie B. Hilger Stefanie M. Hollmichel Tori K. Kee Leslie N. Kiley Brady P. King Grace L. Magill-Cuerden Amy J. Micek Gloria S. Myre Bryan Newman Chad Nosbusch Adem D. Ojulu Treva Peters Michelle E. Rash Judith M. Rush Patricia A. Satzer Kelley Baker Siemon
Mary A. Stade Jessica Stevens
Scott G. Swanson Nathan Theunissen Daniel J. Winterlin
A Lawyer ’ s Prayer to St. Thomas More
I pray, for the glory of God and in the pursuit of His justice, that I, with You, St. Thomas More, may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in
argument, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to
conscience. Sit with me at my desk and listen with me to my clients’ tales. Read with me in my library and stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul. Pray for me, and with me, that my family may find in me what Your family found in You: friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, patience in pain—their good servant, but God’s first.
Amen.
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