Class of 2016!

It was another beautiful sunny day that welcomed our graduates and their families to Windsor Law’s 44th Convocation, Reception and traditional Open House today.

Alex Treiber, Dual JD, was Valedictorian for the Class of 2016.  Although he was our first Dual JD Valedictorian, he received multiple nominations from students in all four programs, not just his own, and as such, he best exemplifies the collegial spirit of the law school.

When notified of his selection, Alex said he was honoured and humbled to accept the nomination. In his speech, he spoke about the camaraderie and collegiality that is a hallmark of Windsor Law. He also talked about the challenges of being a law student and joked that, "we now embark on a much more stressful life with far more serious consequences!" On a more serious note, he noted that Windsor Law is not afraid of issues that others shy away from. "We're not afraid to shine a light," he said. 

Maude Barlow, national chair of the Council of Canadians and chair of the board of Washington-based Food and Water Watch, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at convocation. Barlow serves on the executive of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and is a councillor with the World Future Council. In 2008-09, she served as senior advisor on water to the president of the United Nations General Assembly and was a leader in the campaign to have water recognized as a human right by the UN. She is also the author of dozens of reports as well as 17 books, including her latest, Blue Future: Protecting Water for People and the Planet Forever.

She talked about the importance of advocacy, noting that "the life of an activist is a wonderful one because you get up in the morning thinking about more than just yourself or how to make more money."  She reminded the students that "we are blessed to live in a water wealthy country and that we have a special responsibility to be good stewards of our precious resources," and that there is yet much work to be done. 

There was a very special degree conferred posthumously to former student Michael da Silva who passed away last year after a tragic battle with cancer. Several of Michael's peers attended and watched his brother receive his diploma.