Commencement
2004
SCHOOL OF LAW COMMENCEMENT
Saturday, May 22
Springfield Symphony Hall
Justice Roderick L. Ireland was the Commencement speaker at the Western
New England College School of Law Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May
22 at Springfield Symphony Hall in downtown Springfield. Ireland received
an honorary doctor of laws degree. He told the 128 graduates who received
Juris Doctor degrees to “please remember that it is your duty to
stand up and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. The Springfield
native also recalled a story from his youth when he was deciding which
high school to attend. A guidance counselor tried to
discourage him from going to the now defunct Classical High School and
encourage him to go to Trade, now know as Putnam Vocational High School,
because the counselor was afraid Ireland might not be able to do the work.
Fortunately, Ireland listened to his parents, who advised him to ignore
the counselor.
