Governor who supported creation of first public law school in Massachusetts will receive Chancellor's Medal for outstanding service to the Commonwealth
Governor Deval Patrick, whose leadership was essential in creating the UMass School of Law at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, will be awarded the Chancellor's Medal for outstanding service to the Commonwealth and will deliver the keynote address at the law school's Commencement Exercises tomorrow, Monday, May 19, at 10 a.m. in the Main Auditorium on the main campus.
The Governor's appearance at the Law School caps eight years of supporting UMass Dartmouth, beginning with his regional inauguration event held at the Campus Center. Governor Patrick's support has been instrumental in the $48 million renovation of the Claire T. Carney Library, development of the Massachusetts Accelerator for Biomanufacturing in Fall River, and recent approval of a $55 million academic building for the main campus.
UMass Law, the only public law school in Massachusetts, was established in 2010 to provide a high quality, affordable legal education focused on creating justice-centered lawyers. UMass Law is especially committed to increasing the diversity of those who practice law in the Commonwealth and encouraging students to become professionally engaged in their community through clinics and internships while they study.
Reserved parking for media members is available in lot 13 on the main campus. Media credentials, especially for photographers, must be visible throughout coverage of the ceremony. The Commencement ceremony can be watched live via www.umassd.edu/commencement/watchlive/. UMass Dartmouth's WUMD FM 89.3 will also have live coverage of Commencement.