157 Students Graduating at University of Akron Law School Commencement

More than 150 University of Akron law students will receive their juris doctor degrees during the University's Spring 2002 School of Law commencement ceremony.

WHEN: 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 19.

WHERE: E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. A reception for graduates and their guests will be held in The Goodrich Lobby immediately following the ceremony.

ETC.: W. Louis Sands, chief U.S. district judge for the Middle District of Georgia, will be the commencement speaker. Sands also will be awarded an honorary doctorate at the event.

A native of Bradley, Ga., Judge Sands counts among his many professional accomplishments that he was the first African-American chief federal court judge in the state of Georgia. In addition, he also was the first African-American to hold the positions of assistant district attorney in Georgia; U.S. district judge and assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia; and superior court judge and bar association president
in Macon, Ga.

Among the many success stories at the law commencement ceremony is the journey of Eduardo Coronado of Yuma, Ariz. Coronado, the first member of his family to receive a college degree, grew up working as a migrant farm worker. He followed citrus and vegetable crops with his family throughout Arizona and California through his sophomore year at the University of Arizona, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in history.

After taking the Arizona bar exam, Coronado plans to work in the Pinetop, Ariz., law firm of UA School of Law alumnus Timothy Shaffery.

“This is something that I have always wanted to do, and this Sunday I will accomplish my goal,” he says.

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