<p>The 42nd graduating class of Widener University Delaware Law School will receive diplomas in a 3 p.m. ceremony on the Wilmington, Del. lawn Saturday, May 21. The entire event will also be broadcast to the public live online.<br /><br />The 234 graduates will hear remarks from Delaware Attorney General Matt Denn.<br /><br />Denn took office in January 2015 and has focused on the issue of reducing violent crime in Delaware. He served as Delaware lieutenant governor from 2008 until he was elected attorney general. In that office, he created a new health insurance program for children of low-income working parents and worked closely with Gov. Jack Markell on a landmark early childhood education program. He was part of the governor&rsquo;s financial team, helping to balance four state budgets during the recession.<br /><br />Prior to his term as lieutenant governor, Denn served as the state&rsquo;s elected insurance commissioner. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a law degree from Yale Law School.<br /><br /><strong>Jennifer Penberthy Buckley of Hockessin, Del., </strong>the class valedictorian, will also speak. Download her head shot <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlaw/22333913735/in/photolist-z5FYXV-A1qzco-zJYZN5-A2z9sc">here.</a>&nbsp;<br /><br />Other ceremony highlights will include five graduates receiving their diplomas with relatives &ndash; who are law school alumni &ndash; congratulating them during the ceremony.&nbsp;<br /><br />The public may watch the event online by going to <strong><a href="ipl://625//W10=">delawarelaw.widener.edu/gradwebcast</a></strong> and clicking &ldquo;view video.&rdquo; The stream will begin approximately five minutes before the ceremony starts.&nbsp;<br /><br />The media is invited and encouraged to cover the graduation ceremony. Press seating that provides an up-front view and easy access will be provided for those who wish to attend in person. 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. Visitors will then be directed to park next door in the lot serving Catch 202 restaurant or behind the DoubleTree Hotel on Concord Pike. <strong>Media should call the PR Office in advance about special press parking.&nbsp;<br /><br /></strong>Student awards were presented during a separate ceremony held on Wednesday, April 20 at the school. The dean&rsquo;s award and the president&rsquo;s award were two of the most prestigious honors.&nbsp;<br /><br />Widener University President Dr. Julie E. Wollman gave the president&rsquo;s award to<strong> Johanna Peuscher-Funk of Lewes, Del.</strong> The honor is given to a student entering the last year of law school who has demonstrated scholastic achievement and possesses high potential for meaningful contribution to the law school, the community and the profession. <strong>Download a photo of Wollman and Peuscher-Funk <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlaw/26469034302/in/dateposted-public/">here.</a>&nbsp;<br /><br /></strong>Dean Rodney A. Smolla gave the Dean&rsquo;s Award to <strong>Randall J. Teti of Newtown Square, Pa.</strong> 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. <strong>Download a photo of Smolla and Teti <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlaw/25958442433/in/dateposted-public/">here</a>. &nbsp;<br /><br /></strong><strong>Download a group photo of Smolla, Teti, Peuscher-Funk and Wollman <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlaw/26495289491/in/dateposted-public/">here</a>.&nbsp;<br /><br /></strong>Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, applied leadership, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience.&nbsp; Its Delaware Law School is the First State&rsquo;s only law school, providing juris doctor, legal graduate and paralegal degree programs with an emphasis on developing legal professionals who reflect the Delaware Way and its traditions of civility, integrity and mutual respect. The school offers signature programs in corporate and business law, environmental law, family health law and policy, and trial advocacy. Widener University is proud to be tobacco free. Visit <a href="{staticroot}">delawarelaw.widener.edu</a> for more information.</p>
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