Graduate Profile: 2024 Class Co-Valedictorian Anna Nelson
2024 Cleveland State University College of Law Co-Valedictorian and Tucker Ellis Patent Agent Anna Nelson ‘24 never had law school in mind when finishing her undergraduate studies. Nor did she ever have the idea of being valedictorian in mind throughout law school. But four years of hard work later, Anna is proud of the honor.
“As an evening student, I put zero expectations on myself,” explained Anna. “Going to law school had never been a plan or goal of mine, so I did not envision this kind of success when arriving here. But with reduced pressure on myself to be perfect in school, I think I managed to really learn better.”
Monday Morning Message 6.3.24 The Power of Shared Experience
“As the first Arab American to receive this recognition, this award is especially important not only me—but to my family and community as well. They have always been by my side throughout my journey. …..When I was growing up, education was not a given for women in my culture. Fighting for the opportunity to get my undergraduate degree and then pursue law school was another fence I had to climb. ….
Monday Morning Message 5.20.24 Commencement 2024!
“Start each day with the optimism that it could be one of your best, don’t cruise through life on autopilot. Be sure to revel in each day…..
The skillset you are leaving here with is your ability to look at situations from many perspectives. I would argue that this trait is more valuable today than ever, and more at risk in our polarized environment where every issue has an immediate magnetic attraction to a preordained position…. The world is subjective and unyielding positions bathed in absolutes are more often the source of conflict than the solution……
Monday Morning Message 5.6.24 Campus Protests and Law Day.
“Many problems develop when communication between people is difficult or non-existent. It is the root of all violent outbreaks, war, and all general disharmony. We live in a world with many fellow human beings and to realize that each person is not entirely alone will make alienation an obsolete human characteristic.” —Allison Kraus, Kent State student, age 19 (April 23, 1951 - May 4, 1970)
Law Day, held annually on May 1, is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.
Alumni Profile: Vincent T. Lombardo ’81 and Barbara J. Stanford ’80
Cleveland State University College of Law alumni Vincent T. Lombardo ’81 and Barbara J. Stanford ’80 both fondly remember their days in law school. The duo recalls separately taking Evidence with (now Professor Emeritus) Stephen R. Lazarus and how much each enjoyed the course.
While CSU|LAW set Lombardo and Stanford on a path to career success in the legal field and beyond, their most lasting memory is having met each other in law school. They married in 1982.
“I am forever grateful to CSU|LAW for giving me a legal education – and the opportunity to meet my wife! I had always wanted to be an attorney and CSU|LAW allowed me to fulfill my dream,” explained Lombardo.
Monday Morning Message 4.22.24 Take Your Own Measurements
“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” – Albert Einstein
“CSU Law is the best choice for students who want to be seen and treated as human beings instead of numbers, and respected in the legal community for the hard work and dedication to the practice of law that is fostered through mentorship and leadership opportunities.” - 3L Student
This is the time of year when talented students who we have admitted must decide whether to choose CSU|LAW. To their credit, many have choices because they have been admitted to more than one fine law school.