Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 9-7-18

Local
Law School Honors 21 Summer Graduates
From left to right: WMU-Cooley Law School Tampa Bay campus Associate Dean Ron Sutton, law school graduate Kimberly Pinder (delivered valedictory address), and Judge Perry Little, Senior Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County, at WMU- Cooley’s Tampa Bay campus summer graduation ceremony.
plained.
“Today is about our unity
and coming together to cele- brate our success,” she said during the graduation cere- mony. “We’ve come together in achievement and have formed a lasting bond.”
Pinder encouraged her classmates to be profes- sional, be responsible, and take pride in all they do.
“When you go out into the real world, have confi- dence in what you’ve learned, you remember a lot more if you believe in your- self,” Pinder said. “Keep pushing, keep studying, be true to yourself and you will go far. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, who motivate you and who encourage you to be a better
person every day.”
During his keynote,
Judge Little shared his ex- perience about asking for fi- nancial help in order to pay the $150 Florida Bar Exam fee. Judge Little said he sent a letter to the exam ad- ministrator asking for prepa- ration materials and half the exam fee – with a promise to pay the remaining $75 at the end of that month, which was granted.
“If you need help, ask for it. I didn't know how he was going to respond, but with- out asking, I'd never know. And now, the rest is history,” said Judge Little.
While comparing a law degree to a plane ticket, the judge told the graduates, "you determine where you
want to go based on the amount of work you do, the amount of effort you put in, and how hard you want to work at it."
Each class at WMU-Coo- ley bears the name of a dis- tinguished member of the legal profession. The sum- mer 2018 graduating class is named after Levi Wood- bury, who served the coun- try in various capacities, including: associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, senator from New Hampshire, the ninth gover- nor of New Hampshire, and a cabinet member in three administrations in the 1800s. President Andrew Jackson appointed Wood- bury to serve as secretary of the U. S. Navy in 1831.
Judge Perry Little was the guest speaker.
WMU-Cooley Law School presented 21 graduates with Juris Doctor Degrees during the law school’s summer commencement for its Tampa Bay campus. The cer- emony was held Aug. 18 at the University of South Florida Music Hall.
During the ceremony, Kimberly Pinder, of Gainesville, Florida, was chosen by her classmates to provide the valedictory re- marks. The Hon. Perry Little, Senior Judge of the
13th Judicial Circuit in Hills- borough County, provided the keynote address.
Pinder spoke to her fel- low graduates about acquir- ing copious legal knowledge and skills from WMU-Coo- ley’s unique learning envi- ronment, which consists of classes, clinics and extern- ships.
During their WMU-Coo- ley journey, the diverse group of Tampa Bay gradu- ates came together to form their own WMU-Cooley fam- ily as they held study ses- sions together and supported each other, Pinder ex-
WMU-Cooley Law School graduates were presented with Juris Doctor Degrees during the law school’s summer commencement ceremony for its Tampa Bay campus at the University of South Florida Music Hall on Aug. 18.
PAGE 2-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018