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<p><em>Delaware Governor Jack Markell speaks at the symposium.</em></p>
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<p>The Widener Law Review&rsquo;s spring symposium drew support from high places this year when Delaware Gov. Jack Markell visited campus to help kick off the daylong event &ldquo;Breaking Down Barriers: The Benefits of a More Inclusive Legal Profession.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Markell, who made employment opportunities for people with disabilities a cornerstone of his platform when he served as chairman of the National Governor&rsquo;s Association, said the school&rsquo;s chosen symposium topic was apolitical.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This is not a Democratic issue. This is not a Republican issue. What we learn when we focus on the ability, rather than the disability, is that it&rsquo;s amazing what we can accomplish.&rdquo; Markell said. It&rsquo;s up to us to continue to push forward for opportunities for people with disabilities in the business world.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The program was presented by the student-run <a href="ipl://566//W10=">Widener Law Review</a> and the law school in association with the Delaware State Bar Association Committee on Legal Professionals with Disabilities. Alumnus Santino Ceccotti chairs the committee and worked with the school to execute the program.</p>
<p>Ceccotti, a December 2006 graduate who is disabled, practices in the appellate division of the Delaware Public Defender&rsquo;s Office.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Thank you so much for being the inspiration and driving force behind this program,&rdquo; Dean <a href="ipl://20//WyIyMDQiXQ==">Rod Smolla</a> told Ceccotti, before introducing the governor. &ldquo;It means a great deal to us.&rdquo;</p>