One for the Ages: 2020 Celebration of Graduates

"One for the ages," said a Texas A&M School of Law social media follower of the law school's virtual celebration of graduates hosted on Zoom the first week of May.

This unprecedented Texas A&M School of Law event convened more than 330 students, faculty, staff, family and friends online to honor law school journeys and celebrate new beginnings. Like many educational institutions, Texas A&M School of Law did not want to rob graduates of the jubilation that accompanies a major feat such as graduating from law school.

Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Rosalind Jeffers, J.D., and her team were determined to make graduates feel appreciated and recognized, given the adjustments mandated by COVID-19. Although the formal graduation ceremony has been rescheduled for mid-August, there was celebration that needed to happen now, said Jeffers.

Law school dean Bobby Ahdieh championed the effort and got involved, recruiting The Office's Rainn Wilson, also known as Dwight Schrute, to give remarks.

Wilson emphasized gratitude and the power of keeping a gratitude journal. Acknowledging what makes you grateful can increase happiness levels by 10 percent, Wilson said.

"And I hope to meet each and every one of you and be sued by each and every one of you one of these days." Watch Wilson's full remarks here.

Members of Texas A&M Law's class of 2020 were prominently placed in the program lineup as well, including student ambassadors Connor Day and Ashley Phillips. Student body president, Ian Klein, shared his struggles and triumphs in an address with themes of collaboration and support. To see Klein's full remarks, click here.

Finally, a crew of faculty and staff members, led by Professor Wayne Barnes, engaged in a musical tribute to students titled, We Will Zoom You--a parody expressing the rigors of virtual instruction. According to Barnes, the unique lyrics were a collaboration between he and his 19-year-old son and took about 30 minutes.

"I wanted a hopeful message to them [students] as they go forth and continue their journeys as aspiring lawyers (with the final hurdle of taking and passing the bar exam!)," said Barnes.

Creating the video was a bit more complicated. He solicited and collected submissions, synced and edited the performance within 48 hours. Sunglasses, microphones, a Ruth Bader Ginsburg bobblehead and even a toy ukulele made it to the final cut. A Twitter follower described the video as "painfully awesome," and Barnes agrees.

"Our faculty care tremendously for our students, and everyone really wanted to do what they could to help make the best of a difficult situation and bring a little joy to the students," he said.

All videos are available for viewing on the Texas A&M School of Law YouTube channel.

• Celebration of Graduates 2020 (one hour)
• Rainn Wilson remarks (seven minutes)
• Musical Tribute: We Will Zoom You (two minutes)
• Dee J. Kelly Library Message to Graduates (49 seconds)