June 02, 2008
Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye and Chief Judge
Raymond J. Dearie Receive Honorary Degrees
St. John’s School of Law celebrated its Commencement Exercises
before more than 2,000 in Carnesecca Arena on the University’s
Queens campus on June 1. Rev. Donald J.
Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University conferred
degrees to 280 law graduates (265 J.D. and 10 L.L.M) as well as
honoris causa, the degree of Doctor of Laws to both the Honorable
Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge of the State of New York and the
Honorable Raymond J. Dearie, Chief Judge of the United States Court
for the Eastern District of New York.
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Mary C.
Daly, Dean and John V. Brennan Professor of Law and Ethics at
St. John’s University’s School of Law, welcomed the crowd of
faculty, administrators, family and friends and spoke directly to
the graduates about her pride in their accomplishments. She
offered them words of exhortation prior to the presentation of
their diplomas.
“Never turn your back on justice,” said Dean Daly to the Class
of 2008. “And never forget your obligation to provide legal
services to the poor.”
Judge Dearie, ‘69L, gave the 2008 Commencement Address upon
receiving his honorary degree. He talked candidly about his nearly
40-plus year career as a dedicated lawyer in New York after leaving
behind his college days at St. John’s University.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to St. John’s and former Assistant
Dean John J. Murphy. I had doubt in my freshman year and
considered dropping out of Law School,” said Judge Dearie. “Dean
Murphy told me to honor my doubt and stay in charge. Don’t be
afraid of doubt because it can be a good thing.”
“Open yourself up to possibilities and you will find your way,”
added Judge Dearie to the attentive graduates. “Your personal
integrity is your foundation.”
Andrew J.
Simons, ‘65L, Associate Academic Dean at St. John’s School of
Law, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Commencement. Other
highlights included the remarks of Mary Kay Vyskocil, ‘83L,
President of the St. John’s School of Law Alumni Association, who
congratulated the graduates and welcomed them into the ranks of the
alumni.
Both honorary degree recipients were lauded by Rev. Harrington,
C.M. for their exceptional work in the field of law, and he
implored the St. John’s graduates to learn from these true role
models who have excelled at their craft.
”I urge you, the Class of 2008, to allow this degree to call you
forth. Not only to excellence in your profession but also to a firm
commitment to the highest personal and professional values,” said
Rev. Harrington, C.M. “Judge Kaye and Judge Dearie have embodied
such excellence and such a commitment. May you do likewise and may
you always act with special concern for your brothers and sisters
who have the greatest need."
As New York’s top judicial officer, Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye
has had a memorable career. She is the first woman to occupy the
post of Chief Judge of the State of New York after being appointed
by Governor Mario M. Cuomo ‘56L in 1993. Judge Kaye has
streamlined NYC’s jury system and established problem-solving
courts among many other outstanding initiatives.
Chief Judge Raymond J. Dearie has remained a devoted alumnus of
St. John’s. After serving as United States Attorney for the Eastern
District of New York, he was appointed United States District Judge
for the Eastern District of New York and later became Chief Judge
in 2007.
For more information about the St. John’s University School of
Law’s Commencement Exercises contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant
Vice President for Media Relations, by calling (718) 990-6185 or
e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu. For
information regarding St. John’s visit the University web site at
www.stjohns.edu/news.