Last Friday, Seton Hall Law School held its Class of 2015 Commencement Ceremony at the Prudential Center. Dean Patrick E. Hobbs, one of the nation’s longest-standing deans, presented the Commencement address. Seton Hall Law is the top-ranked law school in the state, and Dean Hobbs was behind that effort. His stepping down, preceded by his remarks on Friday, was a historic occasion for the law school and for New Jersey.
Dean Hobbs will be succeeded by Kathleen M. Boozang as the new Dean of Seton Hall School of Law, who will begin her tenure as Dean effective July 1, 2015. “It is a great honor to be named the next Dean of Seton Hall Law School,” Boozang said. “ I will continue our drive to be a leader in legal education, preparing our law and graduate students with the knowledge and skill sets necessary to embrace the emerging opportunities in today’s global market.”
Dean Hobbs gave a memorable address to the approximately 200 graduates of the Class of 2015, their friends, family, and faculty. It was quite evident that Dean Hobbs had nurtured a firm relationship with the Class of 2015, and I’m sure his Commencement Address was the perfect punctuation to his tenure and relationship with this year’s graduates.
He spoke of his continued accessibility to the students when they encounter future challenges, saying, “I gave you my cell phone number the first day of law school. Call me, I’ll get you through that moment.” He also spoke to the reality that this is truly the starting point and that there are going to be dangers and temptations ahead. “Don’t ever jeopardize what you’ve achieved today.”
But the high point was surely when he directed each graduate to reach under their seat for an envelope. Inside the envelope – along with the McDonald’s Happy Meal coupon and a quarter – was a Mega Millions lottery ticket for Friday night’s drawing. “I have just one request,” he said, “…if you win, it would be nice if you threw 8 or 9 mil my way and 8 or 9 mil to your Alma Mater.”
