Monday Morning Message 5.22.23 The Resilient Class of 2023
“Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” – Nora Ephron
Yesterday was our 2023 Commencement where we celebrated the accomplishments of one of the most resilient classes to ever graduate from our law school.
Early during their legal education, the world turned upside down. The pandemic challenged the way we taught and the way they learned. Our graduates were forced to juggle the usual pressures of being a law student with a range of new and unexpected challenges, not of their making.
They adapted and excelled. I have no doubt that the unprecedented challenges they faced will make them even better lawyers and leaders.
Monday Morning Message 5.15.23 Your Moment of Truth
“A moment of choice is a moment of truth. It’s the testing point of our character and competence.” – Stephen Covey
Later today, at the invitation of the Ohio Supreme Court, I will have the honor of speaking in Columbus to all the law school graduates in Ohio and throughout the nation who passed the February 2023 Ohio Bar Exam. Here’s my message.
Three bricklayers were asked: “What are you doing?’ The first said, “I am laying bricks.” The second said, “I am building a cathedral.” The third said, “I am building a house of God.” The first bricklayer has a job. The second has a career. The third has a calling.
Today I ask you to think beyond your job and career. I’m asking you to think about your calling.
Monday Morning Message 5.8.23 Your Law School For Life
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” - Seneca the Younger
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
This morning I want to share some positive messages I’ve recently received from graduates of the Class of 2o22 who passed the February 2023 Bar Exam and students who have recently been admitted to our law school.
We are very proud that the way we treat our admitted students is the same way we treat our current students and our graduates – with respect, support, and individual attention.
Our message is “we are your law school for life.”
Monday Morning Message 5.1.23 Remember Your Why
“Try taking charge of your attention. Avert your gaze from whatever tempts you. Focus instead on whatever makes achieving your goals easier. Your future self will thank you for it.” – Angela Duckworth
“Pressure is a privilege - it only comes to those who earn it.” – Billie Jean King
My message this morning is to our students.
Today is Law Day. It’s also the first day of final exams.
If you’re looking for inspiration, you need look no further than what Law Day stands for. Ultimately, it’s what a legal education is all about.
Professor Milena Sterio Named CSU Distinguished Professor
Professor Milena Sterio, the Charles R. Emrick Jr. - Calfee Halter & Griswold Professor of Law, has been named Distinguished Professor of Law by the Provost of Cleveland State University. The title of Distinguished Professor is the highest honor conferred by the University, and is awarded to only one professor per year across the University.
Monday Morning Message 4.24.23 "Mr. Chief Justice, May It Please The Court
“Equal Justice under the law is not merely a caption on the facade of the Supreme Court building, it is perhaps the most inspiring ideal of our society.” – Former Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell
In some years, through a very competitive application process, our law school is granted the privilege by the U.S. Supreme Court to host a small group of up to 12 lawyers for an official swearing-in ceremony in Washington D.C. for admission to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Monday Morning Message 4.17.23 Financial Wellness
“Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give.” —William A. Ward
Last week I focused on our responsibility to take our students’ mental health challenges seriously and to promote a culture of wellness. There is another component to wellness that we also take very seriously – financial wellbeing.
Money is a major stressor for many of us, but particularly for law students who are trying to balance loan debt and other costs associated with attending law school as well as everyday living expenses.
Monday Morning Message 4.10.23 You Are Not Alone
“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” – Maya Angelou
“Self-care is how you take your power back.” – Lalah Delia
“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close
Monday Morning Message 4.3.23 CSU|LAW in National Spotlight
"Judge Newman is a testament to the highest aspirations for the judiciary in South Carolina." – South Carolina State Representative Roger Kirby
"Judge Newman is the very best we have to offer here, a pillar of our judiciary and our bar." - South Carolina State Senator Thomas McElveen
Monday Morning Message 3.27.23 Carrying the Torch
“Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it over to future generations.” ― George Bernard Shaw
I am very pleased and excited to announce the 2023 Members of our Hall of Fame and our 2023 Leader on the Rise, Delante Spencer Thomas ’16! See their names and photos below.