Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Minnesota Law celebrated its 138th commencement ceremony Saturday, May 16, at Northrop, honoring the Class of 2026. More than 2,000 family members, friends, loved ones, faculty, and staff gathered on a sunny morning to cheer on 225 J.D. candidates, 38 LL.M. candidates, and five Master of Patent Law candidates as they crossed the stage to receive their degrees.

Professor John Matheson, Law Alumni Distinguished Professor of Law and the Law School’s longest-serving faculty member, presided over the ceremony and praised the graduating class for the community they built at Minnesota Law.

“Class of 2026, you are awesome,” Matheson said. “You created a culture of respect and inclusiveness in Mondale Hall and found ways to lift one another up, listen, learn, and grow.”

He encouraged graduates to carry those lessons into what he described as a “fractured and fragile world.”

“This world will be a better place if you do,” he said. “Congratulations, Class of 2026 — you are ready.”

Class of 2026 graduate Violet Butler, chair of the 2026 awards committee, presented the Most Outstanding Contribution Award and the Excellence in Public Service Award.

The Excellence in Public Service Award, which recognizes a student who exemplifies a commitment to public service during law school, was presented to Alex Mysler ’26.

The Most Outstanding Contribution Award, honoring the student who contributed most to the graduating class through academics, leadership, and enhancing the Law School experience, was presented to Nikita Deep ’26.

Patience Ranjani McHenry ’26 presented the Class of 2026 gift in support of the James H. Binger Center for New Americans. She announced that the class reached 27% participation in the campaign, unlocking a $2,000 matching donation from Dean William McGeveran and bringing the total raised to $5,718.

Professor Christopher Roberts, Joseph & Edith Wargo Research Scholar and Vance Opperman Research Scholar, announced the recipients of the 2026 Garry W. Jenkins Award for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Emiliana Almanza Lopez ’26 and Patience Ranjani McHenry ’26.

Named for Garry W. Jenkins, the Law School’s 11th dean, the award recognizes students who have made significant contributions to advancing equity and diversity and fostering an inclusive Law School community.

Professor Liliana Zaragoza presented the William B. Lockhart Award for Excellence in Scholarship, Leadership, and Service to Kaylie Vasquez ’26.

The Law School’s oldest student honor is named for the fifth dean of the Law School, who served from 1956 to 1972 and was widely respected for his teaching and scholarship.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Charlotte Garden, Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett Professor of Law, presented the 2026 Stanley V. Kinyon Teacher of the Year Awards.

“Each year, students recognize faculty for their significant contributions in both teaching and mentorship,” Garden said.

This year’s honorees were:

• Emmanuel Mauleón (tenure-track faculty)

• Liliana Zaragoza (clinical faculty)

• Amy Wildermuth (visiting faculty)

Maria Jorge Sales-Pos LL.M. ’26, an attorney from Brazil, delivered the LL.M. keynote address, reflecting on the class’s international diversity and shared perseverance.

“Our LL.M. class is a reflection of the world,” she said, noting that students came from 16 countries and spoke at least 14 languages. “We left behind families, careers, and the comfort of what we knew. This journey was not easy.”

She told classmates that their experience had transformed them.

“Today, we are not the same people who first arrived in Mondale Hall,” she said. “We are more confident and more capable.”

J.D. class speaker Meagan McIntyre ’26 reflected on the compassion and support that defined the Class of 2026.

“When I look back on the last three years, what stands out most isn’t how great our class has been,” she said. “It’s how good our class has been.”

McIntyre shared her experience navigating a family medical emergency during law school and the support she received from classmates.

“When crisis hit, classmates shared notes, checked in, offered rides, dropped off food, and helped me find normalcy,” she said. “What strikes me most is that this wasn’t unique to me. Again and again, this class showed up for each other.”

The Honorable Nancy E. Brasel ’96, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, delivered the keynote address, urging graduates to embrace courage and confidence in their careers.

“You are in the room because you have the skills and judgment to be here,” Brasel said. “You belong at that table. Put your elbows on it, and lean in.”

She emphasized the need for principled lawyers willing to stand up “for justice, for their community, for the rule of law.”

Brasel closed with practical advice about maintaining relationships.

“Stay connected to your classmates, mentors, and professors,” she said. “Connections are critical to your success — and more importantly, to your happiness.”

Following Brasel’s address, University of Minnesota Regent Samuel Heins ’72 officially conferred degrees for the J.D., LL.M., and Master of Patent Law programs.

Professor Nicholas Bednar ’16, McKnight Land-Grant Professor, and Professor Amy Sweasy ’95 presented the J.D. class. Kara Galvin, director of International and Graduate Programs, presented the LL.M. class, and Professor Christopher M. Turoski ’98 presented the Master of Patent Law class.

Members of the Theatre of the Relatively Talentless, or TORT, closed the ceremony by singing “Hail! Minnesota.” Performers included Gerald Wood ’26, August Filbert ’26, Alex Mysler ’26, Aarati Parajulee ’26, Kristen Eiswerth ’26, Amy Evans ’26, and Meagan McIntyre ’26.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!