U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) recently delivered the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University”™s 45th commencement ceremony address to graduates at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. Together with Harvard Professor Bruce H. Mann, a legal scholar and historian, she received the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, the highest honor conferred by the law school, recognizing their lifelong contributions to public service and the legal profession.
Warren encouraged graduates to “be courageous” and to take chances just as she has during her remarkable career in public office, calling upon them to consider using their law degrees where the need is great.
“That means trust yourself. That means don”™t sell yourself short. Don”™t settle for work that you don”™t believe in. Don”™t assume that you can”™t make a difference,” she said.
“”¦We are living in a time of great uncertainty and instability. Multiple pandemics have made clear that humanity is fragile. The wealth gap continues to grow, while greedy corporations pump filth into our air and pour poison into our water. If that reality wasn”™t enough, right now, an army of corrupt legal minds are conspiring with hateful politicians across America to silence our voices, steal our votes and deny us our freedoms. They want to attack transpeople, give comfort to white supremacists and declare themselves the ones to judge a woman”™s personal medical decisions,” she said. “I say no!”
Warren was a Harvard Law professor and consumer advocate when she was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012. She is widely credited for the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under President Obama. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Warren served as chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.
Horace E. Anderson Jr., Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, presided over the commencement ceremony. Delivering the opening address was Pace University President Marvin Krislov, who asked students to “remember to use your unique privileges and responsibilities as lawyers in good and fair ways.
“”¦And whatever you do in your careers, please remember that lawyers are instrumental to the working of our democracy.”
Pace University Trustee Liliane A. Haub and University Distinguished Professor of Law Bridget J. Crawford joined Dean Anderson to present the honorary degrees to Warren and Mann, recognizing the recipients”™ dedication to the law, commitment to public service and their inspiring example to others within and outside the legal profession.
