Willamette Law Keynote Speaker, Faculty Member of the Year, and Class of 2021 Valedictorian named by Sarah Bello,
Willamette Law will welcome Justice Adrienne C. Nelson as the keynote speaker for the College of Law’s 135th Commencement. The ceremony will also honor two members of the law community, including announcing Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jeffrey Dobbins as the Law Faculty Member of the Year, and graduate Spencer Prosen JD’21 as the Class of 2021 valedictorian.
Keynote Speaker Justice Adrienne C. Nelson
The remote portion of the College of Law’s commencement ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. The keynote speaker for the College of Law will be Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne C. Nelson.
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At Schwabe, we are deeply committed to facing inequities and existing oppressive systems head-on. Though racial injustice has long woven its way into most corners of our society and communities, we have a reason for hope as we witness milestones towards a more equitable future notably with Kamala Harris’s history-making position as Vice-President. We also recognize several local leaders who are knocking down racial and gender walls as quickly as they see them. It is in this spirit that we endeavor to continue the long battle while taking a short but important moment to celebrate the strides made by some of the talented trailblazers in the legal community.
From the City Club of Eugene:
The recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many other unarmed African Americans have heightened awareness of systemic racism and its foundation, implicit bias.
Implicit biases are unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that can manifest in criminal justice systems, workplaces, school settings, and healthcare systems. Implicit biases are based on many factors, including race, gender, and sexuality. We can deal with–and hopefully reverse–implicit biases only when we see how they impact thoughts and decisions. Removing these biases is a challenge, especially because we often don’t even know they exist, but research reveals potential interventions.