Touro Law Celebrates the Class of 2018

On Sunday, May 26, Touro Law Center celebrated the Class of 2018 at the 36th annual commencement ceremony. This year’s graduation, held at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, honored 120 Juris Doctor candidates, 1 candidate for the J.D./M.S.W. program and 3 candidates for the LL.M. in U.S. Legal Studies as well as several December 2013 candidates including 19 Juris Doctor candidates, 1 J.D./M.S.W. candidate and 1 LL.M. candidate.

Dean Harry Ballan welcomed graduates, their family and friends and distinguished guests. He offered words of support and encouragement in addition to congratulations. He reminded graduates, “Respect yourself, take care of yourself and then take care of others.” He continued, “Study hard, pass the bar, flourish in your professional lives and in every aspect of your lives.”

The commencement address was delivered by Suffolk County District Attorney the Hon. Timothy Sini. He addressed the graduates, reminding them they should be extremely proud of themselves, and stated, “How you choose to make this world a better place is of little consequence, what matters is that you play your part. That you are a force of good…and you use your skills to affect positive change.”

Valedictorians and salutatorians were honored for their outstanding achievements. This year’s full full-time valedictorian was Stephen Weinstein and part-time division valedictorian was Luann DePoto Dallojacono. Full-time salutatorian was Michael J. Borger and part-time salutatorian was Jenna Jonassen. Hailey Kantrow was nominated as Class Orator and addressed her fellow graduates, faculty, deans, family, friends and guests on Sunday. She reminded fellow graduates that they are all smarter and wiser than when they started and their passion to help those in need have caught fire as they are eager to begin their careers. She also reminded them, “We gained each other….we have now become a family.”