<p>The 43rd graduating class of Widener University Delaware Law School will receive diplomas in a 3 p.m. ceremony on the Wilmington, Del. lawn Saturday, May 20. &nbsp;The entire event will also be broadcast to the public live online.</p>
<p>The 179 graduates will hear remarks from The Honorable Randy J. Holland, recently retired Delaware Supreme Court Justice. &nbsp;Justice Holland, who is a longtime adjunct professor at Delaware Law School, retired in March after 30 years on the state&rsquo;s highest bench.</p>
<p>Justice Holland is the past national President of the American Inns of Court Foundation and co-chairs the advisory committee to the National Center for State Court&rsquo;s Center for Judicial Ethics. &nbsp;He is a member of the American Law Institute and chaired the American Bar Association National Joint Committee on Lawyer Regulation. &nbsp;Justice Holland has also served on the ABA Presidential Commission on Fair and Impartial Courts, the Standing Committee on Client Protection and the Judicial Division&rsquo;s Ethics and Professionalism Committee.</p>
<p>An honorary Doctor of Laws degree will be given to the late Honorable Joseph R. &ldquo;Beau&rdquo; Biden, III, and will be accepted by Valerie Biden Owens, sister to The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., former Vice President of the United States and longtime U.S. Senator from Delaware.&nbsp; Ms. Biden Owens is one of the first women in the United States to have managed a modern U.S. Senatorial campaign, as well as a Presidential campaign.</p>
<p>Jacob Fedechko of Monroeville, New Jersey, the class valedictorian, will also speak.</p>
<p>Other ceremony highlights will include three graduates receiving their diplomas from - and being congratulated by - relatives who are Delaware Law School alumni.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The public may watch the event online by going to <a href="ipl://625//W10="><strong>delawarelaw.widener.edu/gradwebcast</strong></a> and clicking &ldquo;view video.&rdquo; &nbsp;The stream will begin approximately five minutes before the ceremony starts.</p>
<p>The media is invited and encouraged to cover the graduation ceremony. &nbsp;Press seating that provides an up-front view and easy access will be provided for those who wish to attend in person. &nbsp;The program is expected to draw around 2,500 people to the Concord Pike location and will be held outdoors under tents, rain or shine. The campus will be closed after school parking lots are filled. &nbsp;Visitors will then be directed to park next door in the lot serving Catch 202 restaurant or behind the DoubleTree Hotel on Concord Pike. &nbsp;<strong>Media should call the Registrar&rsquo;s Office (302-477-2150) in advance about special press parking.</strong></p>
<p>Student awards were presented during a separate ceremony held on Wednesday, April 19, at the school. &nbsp;The dean&rsquo;s award and the president&rsquo;s award were two of the most prestigious honors.</p>
<p>Widener University President Dr. Julie E. Wollman gave the president&rsquo;s award to two recipients this year, Tricia Kazinetz and Gwen Lentine.<strong> &nbsp;</strong>The award is given to a student(s) entering the last year of law school that has demonstrated scholastic achievement and possesses high potential for meaningful contribution to the law school, the community and the profession.</p>
<p>Delaware Law School Dean <a href="ipl://20//WyIyMDQiXQ==">Rodney A. Smolla</a> gave the Dean&rsquo;s Award to Jacob Fedechko. &nbsp;The award is given annually to the graduating student who, in the dean&rsquo;s opinion, has demonstrated outstanding legal aptitude, exemplary service, significant leadership skills and the potential to become an outstanding member of the legal community.</p>