UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS SCHOOL OF LAW COMMENCEMENT
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 MINNEAPOLIS, MN
FROM THE DEAN
Welcome to the University of St. Thomas School of Law commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025.
The degrees we bestow today are a credit to the graduates’ 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 played an immeasurable role. Thanks to the parents, spouses, loved ones and friends who have traveled this journey with our graduates. This year is the School of Law’s 22nd graduating class, meaning the law school is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary since its opening. It is therefore especially appropriate that Fr. Dennis Dease, president emeritus of the University of St. Thomas, is joining us as today’s commencement speaker. Fr. Dease, in partnership with many others, led the efforts to launch this law school, and we remain grateful for his vision and leadership. From the beginning, the School of Law has remained centered on our mission of integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice. This year’s graduates have made lasting contributions to the law school and our mission during their time here. As they go forth, we are confident that their education and formation has prepared them to become servant leaders committed to defending the rule of law, promoting the common good, and advancing liberty and justice for all.
On behalf of our faculty and staff, we congratulate each of our graduates. Well done.
Again, welcome, and enjoy the day.
Daniel B. Kelly Dean and Mengler Chair in Law
SCHEDULE
PROCESSIONAL
WELCOME Daniel B. Kelly Dean and Mengler Chair in Law
INVOCATION Rev. Christopher Collins, SJ Vice President for Mission, University of St. Thomas
STUDENT REFLECTION Marian Farah J.D. Class of 2025
KEYNOTE ADDRESS Rev. Dennis Dease President Emeritus, University of St. Thomas
DISTRIBUTION OF HOODS David A. Grenardo Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Holloran Center for Ethical Leadership in the Professions Professor of the Year
CONFERRING OF DEGREES Robert K. Vischer President, University of St. Thomas
RECESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE CLASS OF 2025
David Antwi - LL.M. B.A. Saint Olaf College J.D. University of St. Thomas School of Law
Numene T. Bartekwa - M.S.L. LL.B. University of Liberia Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law LL.M. University of Minnesota Law School
Jennifer S. Bohaty - M.S.L. B.A. St. Louis University
Jovar T. Derain - M.S.L. B.S. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Nicole A. Meyerhofer - M.S.L. B.S. Minnesota School of Business
Angelica N. Pederson - M.S.L. B.S. University of Minnesota - Crookston
Kenneth M. Peters - M.S.L. B.A. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Eva A. Peterson - M.S.L. B.S. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Jocelyn Springfield - M.S.L. B.S. Southern Connecticut State University
Ger Vang - M.S.L. B.S. Devry University
LL.M. IN U.S. LAW CLASS OF 2025
Ana Gabriela Contreras Álvarez LL.B. Universidad Francisco Marroquín
Juan Pablo Corona Aceves LL.B. Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara
Gabriela Díaz Lozano LL.B. Universidad San Francisco de Quito LL.M. Universidad de La Rioja Javier Guerra López LL.B. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid Mtax Universidad Carlos III de Madrid MAAP Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Mirun He LL.B. Liaoning Normal University
Josemaría Hernández Mak LL.B. Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara
Pablo Andrés Herrera Pérez LL.B. Universidad del Istmo
Fabiano Landim LL.B. Farias Brito University Center LL.M. Getulio Vargas Foundation
Carolina López Ascencio LL.B. Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara
Christianne Meirelles LL.B. University of Fortaleza
Veronica Paolini Exposito LL.B. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Emilia Parra Brito LL.B. Universidad Internacional del Ecuador
LL.M. IN U.S. LAW CLASS OF 2025
Rony Perussina LL.B. Universidad Rafael Landívar
María Ximena Vega Galaviz LL.B. Universidad Panamericana Guadalajara
Marcelo Yánez LL.B. Universidad de Las Américas LL.M. Universidad de Barcelona - Pompeu Fabra
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Maria B. Abood B.A. Boston University
Julia Abreu Siufi B.A. Bethany Lutheran College
Abdulla Ali* B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Allison M. Andersen B.A. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Dustin Andruski B.A. Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Bruno Areal Vargas Franco Netto B.A. University of Leeds
Rachel A. Bakken B.A. University of Iowa
Simon M. Batistich B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Paul W. Befort+ B.A. University of St. Thomas
McKaylee Berg* B.A. Hamline University
Scott Betzler B.S. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Monali Bhakta B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
Kirsten G. Bohman B.S. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Olivia L. Bradford* B.A. Grand View University
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Aniyah S. Braveboy B.A. Arizona State University
Kristina K. Brindley B.S. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Theo M. Britton B.A. Macalester College
Lindsey Broda B.A. Concordia College - Moorhead
Colette J. Bruder B.A. George Washington University
Peter Carlson B.S. Lewis University
Elisabeth P. Cavanaugh B.S. Bethel University
Taylia I. Cavazos B.S. Evangel University
Zekriah Chaudhry B.A. University of St. Thomas
Xingdu Maggie Chen B.A. Saint Olaf College M.Ed. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Caleb D. Christopherson B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Paul Cornick B.A. North Dakota State University - Fargo
Camryn N. Davis B.A. University of North Carolina - Wilmington
Vanessa D. Deerberg B.A. St. Cloud State University
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Kate Denney B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Kennan L. DeShambo B.S. Concordia University Wisconsin
Paige C. Dobberstein B.A. College of Saint Benedict
Shamara D. Duwearatchi B.A. Hamline University
Kaitlyn Eder B.S. Creighton University
Catherine C. Eliasen B.A. Saint Olaf College
Christos Eliou* B.A. Hamline University M.S. Boston University
Erica Fahrenkrug B.S. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Cameron I. Fair* B.A. University of Northwestern - St. Paul
Marian Farah B.A. Ryerson University
Scott S. Fiebiger B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Rebecca M. Fishman+ B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Paige C. Fochtman B.A. Macalester College
Matthew F. Friedmann B.S. North Dakota State University - Fargo M.Ed. North Dakota State University - Fargo
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Liliana A. Garrido B.A. Florida Atlantic University
Correy R. Glynn B.S. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Faith E. Goede B.A. Saint Olaf College
Clare O. Griffin B.A. Marquette University
Kira Hackett B.S. Metropolitan State University
Phillip L. Hampton B.A. Clark Atlanta University M.I.M. University of St. Thomas
Ashley Harrison B.A. Howard University
Michael B. Hasselquist B.B.A. Loyola University - Chicago
Ashley K. Huber B.A. Concordia College - Moorhead
John G. Hughes B.A. Marquette University
Maxwell W. Jacobson* B.S. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Kenzie Johnson B.A. University of St. Thomas
Matthew L. Johnson B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Tabatha A. Johnson B.S. Capella University
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Jordan M. Juenger B.S. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Daisy M. Kabaka B.S. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Anabel C. Kapelke B.A. Saint Olaf College
Daphne Q. Karofsky B.S. University of Arizona
Michaela R. Kavanagh B.S. University of Utah
Jordan R. Kleinschmidt B.S. North Central University
Matthew Koop B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Taylor A. Kugler B.A. University of Colorado - Boulder
Maria L. Landfried B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Meredith E. LaVine B.A. Saint Olaf College
Thevni Lelwala B.A. University of St. Thomas
Arissa M. Lewis B.A. Saint Olaf College
Rosemary Maher B.S. DePaul University
Joseph W. Maney B.S. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
James O. Markert B.A. Concordia College - Moorhead
Caleb McAlees-Callanan B.A. University of St. Thomas
Kaitlin S. McCurdy B.S. Creighton University
Michaela R. Messier B.A. University of Iowa
Sara Miller B.A. University of St. Thomas
Abigail J. Moser B.S. North Dakota State University - Fargo
Kiley Munsey B.A. University of Denver
Zoe E. Nawrot B.A. Hamline University
Emma L. Nelson B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Stephanie A. Nepper B.A. University of Nebraska - Omaha
Alena P. Nesvetaylov B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Joshua W. Nierengarten B.A. Saint Olaf College
Sheldon G. Noess B.A. Northern State University
Maria Oachs B.A. University of Kentucky - Lexington
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Anisa A. Omar B.S. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Christopher E. Osborn B.S. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo M.S. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Aziza A. Osman B.S. University of St. Thomas
Alyssa A. Padmanabhan B.A. DePaul University
Elizabeth C. Pahkala B.A. University of St. Thomas
John M. Palmer B.A. St. Cloud State University
Amanda Piel B.S. Marquette University
Grace N. Pilz B.A. Kenyon College
Jenna I. Podgornik B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Mason P. Rademacher B.A. North Dakota State University - Fargo
Ethan I. Reed B.A. Augsburg College
Tessa M. Register B.A. University of Georgia
Taryn M. Reichow Kriese B.S. Winona State University
Thomas J. Reinhardt B.S. North Dakota State University - Fargo
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Douglas J. Reuss B.S. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Brad J. Reuter B.A. University of Minnesota - Duluth
Adam J. Revoir B.A. University of St. Thomas
Dulce I. Rivera-Zepeda* B.A. Gonzaga University
Evan D. Robert B.A. Hamline University
Clair Rosengren B.S. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Jonathan M. Rozada B.A. Florida Atlantic University
Rosanne K. Salem B.A. University of St. Thomas
Rachel Salinas B.A. University of Nevada - Reno
Elizabeth A. Sammon B.A. Bethel University
Alexander M. Schatz B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Bobbie E. Schermbeck B.S. University of South Carolina - Columbia
Rebecca K. Schmit B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Jill E. Schneider B.S. Marian University
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
David J. Scott B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Parker J. Seeberger B.A. Gonzaga University
Elena M. Senftner B.A. Iowa State University
Margaret L. Sheely B.S. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Sofia S. Shibly B.A. University of Sioux Falls
Nathan D. Shoemaker B.A. University of St. Thomas
Maluhia M. Siers B.S. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Pratima Singh B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Dominic J. Skawiniak* B.A. Saint John's University
Riley M. Smith B.A. Bethel University
Juan A. Soriano B.A. Cardinal Stritch University
Zac Spohn B.A. Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Alena D. Stankaitis B.A. Loyola University - Chicago
Eva L. Stromgren B.A. Macalester College
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Insiya Syed B.A. University of Illinois - Urbana
Tate A. Thielfoldt B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Kristopher E. Thompson B.S. Iowa State University
Taylor M. Thompson B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Amanda J. Tyler B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Allison A. Vasilakis B.A. Loyola University - Chicago
Monica Villanueva-Nelson B.A. Augustana University
Naomi H. Voehl B.A. Bethel University
Alexia VonRuden B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College
Jenny A. Walsh B.A. Iowa State University
Benjamin R. Walz B.A. Iowa State University
Trevor D. Warzecha B.A. University of North Dakota - Grand Forks M.S. University of North Dakota - Grand Forks
Sarah J. Welch B.A. Hamline University
Samya White B.A. University of Manchester
J.D. CLASS OF 2025
Merryn L. Wier B.A. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Carissa J. Wigginton B.A. Arizona State University
Eyuel Yared B.A. University of Minnesota - Minneapolis M.A. Tel Aviv University
Alexandra H. Zeiss B.A. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Edwin I. Zhanay B.A. University of St. Thomas
+ earned joint J.D./MA degrees * December 2024 graduate
GRADES AND HONORS
Summa Cum Laude Lindsey Broda Paige C. Dobberstein Rosemary Maher Taryn M. Reichow
Magna Cum Laude Julia Abreu Siufi Xingdu Maggie Chen
Cameron I. Fair Matthew Koop Joseph W. Maney Christopher E. Osborn Mason Patrick Rademacher
Cum Laude Bruno Areal Vargas Franco Netto Simon M. Batistich Scott Betzler Kristina Konen Brindley Theo M. Britton Peter Carlson Zekriah Chaudhry Faith E. Goede Maxwell W. Jacobson Jordan Michael Juenger Anabel Carolyn Iacarel Kapelke Meredith E. LaVine
Kiley Munsey Grace N. Pilz
Jenna I. Podgornik Tessa M. Register Brad J. Reuter David J. Scott Margaret L. Sheely Nathan D. Shoemaker Naomi Hope Voehl
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 their 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 10,441 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 their three years of law school is inspiring and extraordinary. It is fitting that their accomplishments should be recognized today.
400-499 Hours Jordan Juenger
300-399 Hours John Hughes
200-299 Hours Kiley Munsey Abigail Moser Kristopher Thompson Amanda Tyler
100-199 Hours
Abdulla Ali Bruno Areal Vargas Franco Netto Caleb Callanan
James Markert Michaela Messier Stephanie Nepper Aziza Osman Brad Reuter Alexander Schatz Jill Schneider Alena Stankaitis Tate Thielfoldt Trevor Warzecha
Xingdu Maggie Chen Kennan DeShambo
Marian Farah Scott Fiebiger Maria Landfried Arissa Lewis
MINNESOTA JUSTICE FOUNDATION SERVICE
The J.D. graduating class of 2025 performed more than 3,900 hours of law-related public service, which benefited nearly 560 clients, during their time at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Of the 145 graduates, 30 students completed more than 50 hours of law-related public service.
300-400 Hours Paul Cornick Marian Farah Jordan Juenger Kiley Munsey 200-299 Hours Abdulla Ali Alena Stankaitis Amanda Tyler
100-199 Hours Bruno Franco Netto James Markert Michaela Messier David Scott
50-99 Hours Maria Abood
Allison Andersen Dustin Andruski Monali Bhakta Olivia L. Bradford Xingdu Maggie Chen Caleb Christopherson Kate Denney Faith Goede Anabel Kapelke Jordan Kleinschmidt Maria Oachs Aziza Osman Taryn Reichow Kriese Adam Revoir Rebecca Schmit Maluhia Siers Jenny Walsh Alexandra Zeiss
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 2025 graduating classes who have been honored with Mission Awards during their law school careers.
Service and Community Sarah (S.J.) Welch
Living the Mission Dustin Andruski Marian Farah Carolina López Ascencio Bobbie Schermbeck
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 Bassford Remele Scholarship Black Law Students Association Annual Scholarship Board of Governors 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 D. Donald and Angela W. Wozniak 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 Michael and Ann Ciresi Endowed Scholarship Nilan Johnson Lewis Scholarship Pio Cardinal Laghi Endowed Scholarship Quentin and Sara Hietpas Endowed Scholarship Robins Kaplan Scholarship School of Law Mission in Action Scholarship School of Law Professors Scholarship Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner Annual Scholarship Steve Tourek and Jake Marvin Scholars Endowment Stinson Annual Scholarship Stocks Family Endowed Scholarship Taft Annual Scholarship
Target Corporation Diversity Scholarship Thomas M. Mengler Endowed Scholarship Thomas P. Dolphin Endowed Scholarship Wheaton Endowed Scholarship
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The Hon. Toddrick Barnette Maureen H. Bausch Barbara Burwell John L. Carr The Hon. Margaret H. Chutich Michael V. Ciresi
Christopher J. Dolan Robert J. Dwyer, Jr. Sara H. Gavin Judy L. Hallett Kathleen Hayden Jack P. Helms
John D. Herrick Eileen M. Lach Jeremy S. Lane Thomas A. Letscher Kathleen Foye MacLennan Susan I. Marvin Heather M. McElroy Michael F. McFadden John M. Morrison The Hon. Susan Richard Nelson Kate Nilan Uding Catherine X. Pan-Giordano Brooks Poley Courtney Rogers Reid Melodie Rose
Patrick G. Ryan Ronald J. Schutz Ann Scovil Morris M. Sherman Alexander C. Tittle Christopher Vatsaas Robert Vischer Nick Weir
FACULTY
Brenda J. Arndt Thomas C. Berg
Benjamin C. Carpenter Teresa Stanton Collett Jennifer L. Cornell Mariana H.C. Gonstead Mitchell Gordon
David A. Grenardo Daniel F. Griffith Neil W. Hamilton
Julie A. Jonas Wulf A. Kaal
Robert A. Kahn Daniel B. Kelly Sarita Matheson Kari Milligan Dennis L. Monroe Rachel Moran Jerome M. Organ
Julie A. Oseid Mark W. Osler
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 Carl M. Warren Virgil O. Wiebe Amy Wildermuth Yohuru Williams
STAFF
Jill S. Akervik Becky Beerling Felicia Bennett Adam Bent Henry R. Bishop Lisa Montpetit Brabbit Cristina R. Calderón Phuong-Uyen T. Campbell Niki M.C. Catlin Julie Craven Sally P. Dahlquist Devin Donskoi Meghan Marrinan Feliciano Katie K. Flood
Monica K. Gould Cari L. Haaland
Mike Halloran Carrie B. Hilger Stefanie M. Hollmichel Michelle Huber Sharon Loftus Grace L. Magill-Cuerden Denisse Manivanh Suzan McGinnis Cindy McGrath Millet Mendoza Gloria S. Myre Chad Nosbusch Izzy Peters Treva Peters Taylor Praus-Singh Michelle E. Rash Judith M. Rush Monique Salvetti Debbie Shapiro Allison Shea Kelley Baker Siemon Ellie Speedling Derek Thooft Daniel J. Winterlin Piper Wold
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.
This program is available online at link.stthomas.edu/law2025 or scan the QR code below with your smartphone camera.
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