St. John’s Law celebrated its centennial commencement on May 17 as 267 Juris Doctor and 61 Master of Laws candidates graduated at Carnesecca Arena, according to a May 19 announcement.
The event highlighted the school’s century-long role in providing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and recognized the achievements of the newest graduates. St. John’s University supports initiatives through its centers and institutes focused on multicultural, local, and global efforts, according to the official website.
Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum addressed the graduates by saying, “Whatever your varied stories of arriving at St. John’s are, you will now have a uniting characteristic—you will be St. John’s lawyers. And that means something special.” She added that while students leave with essential legal knowledge and skills, “what distinguishes a St. John’s lawyer is that you also leave with a sense of responsibility to your clients, your communities, and one another.” Jefferson Exum reminded graduates that regardless of their future practice area, “There will always be an opportunity to exhibit the values of care for humanity, integrity, and overall ethical behavior.”
Commencement speaker Professor John P. “Jack” Clarke said he has known members from every class in the law school’s history: “I have known at least one or more members of every class in our 100-year history, up to and including the Class of 2026.” He recounted how early graduates overcame barriers to build successful careers as law firm founders, corporate leaders, industry figures, and public servants. Clarke noted these accomplishments are joined by “50,000 untold stories” from alumni who dedicated their careers to upholding the Rule of Law.
James Herschlein welcomed new alumni on behalf of the Alumni Association Board by saying: “There are so many alumni who embody a principle-centered life focused on upholding the Rule of Law and the Constitution. Aspire to be great, aspire to lead, aspire to care… because that’s what you learned here at St. John’s.”
St. John’s University features campuses in Queens and Manhattan as well as international sites in Rome, Paris and Limerick; it operates as a Catholic institution affiliated with the Vincentian Community offering more than 100 undergraduate majors across six schools and colleges—all part of its dedication to liberal arts education—according to information available from its official website. Rev. Brian J. Shanley serves as president.
