On June 4, Harvard Law School graduates of the Class of 2009 marched to Harvard University’s Tercentenary Theatre where 32,000 degree candidates, family members, faculty, alumni and guests convened for morning exercises. President Drew Gilpin Faust conferred degrees to graduates by school.
The law school diploma ceremony began at 11:45 in front of the Langdell Library, where Acting Dean Howell Jackson awarded diplomas to Doctors of Juridical Science (S.J.D.), Masters of Laws (LL.M.) and Doctors of Law (J.D.). This year, the law school conferred 731 degrees, 567 JDs, 151 LLMs, and 13 S.J.D.s. Watch Harvard Law School’s Commencement ceremony.
Harvard Law School commencement exercises began on Wednesday, June 3, with a Class Day program on Holmes Field.
U.S. Solicitor General and former HLS Dean Elena Kagan ’86 was the keynote speaker. During Class Day ceremonies, HLS professor Elizabeth Warren received the Sacks-Freund Award for excellence in teaching, and Ellen Cosgrove, associate dean and dean of students, received the Suzanne Richardson Staff Appreciation Award. Both honorees were selected by the graduating class of 2009.
Several student awards were also presented, including awards for citizenship, community leadership, and pro bono work.