News Archive

Good Evening!

It is a great honor to deliver the commencement speech on behalf of my dear LLM colleagues from Brazil, China, Nigeria, Peru, the Republic of Congo, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United States of America, Venezuela, and Vietnam. In particular, I would like to honor my colleagues that could not be present today.

We all had different paths that brought us to Indiana. Some of us crossed the oceans, traveling several thousand miles, being away from our family, children, and friends for a year or more. Others were already living nearby and chose IU McKinney to enhance their careers. This might have been a difficult choice, and at least for me, it was the right one. Being here today proves we were able to succeed in this incredible journey that we put ourselves into, as we will succeed in what might be waiting for us. All the hard work we did will be rewarded, and I am sure each one of you will harvest the most beautiful glories from your efforts.  

I am grateful for my family, who always encouraged me and were by my side every step of the way, even in the most difficult times. Furthermore, in the name of my colleagues, I say thanks to their family members, who were also by their side in every challenge. Dear family members, always remember that we are graduating today thanks to you since your presence and support were essential to helping us achieve our goals. Also, I would like to thank all the faculty, the Professors, the deans, and the IU McKinney community, for your continuous and essential support.

We braved a Master of Laws in a different country and culture during a global pandemic, and it is not for the weakest soul. It demands courage to thrive in a foreign language, legal system, and studying methods, and all of us accomplished it. We are now ready to brave the next chapter of our professional lives. The books you read, the friends you made, and the lessons you learned will all contribute to our new paths. And please remember, as lawyers, we are part of the most honorable system in our society and one of the few that can make a genuine difference in someone else’s life.

I will end with something the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said: “Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.”

It is now in our hands to use all we have learned to make the world better. And I am grateful for being part of this journey with you. Congratulations, and thank you very much!