Indiana Chief Justice to Speak at UE Commencement May 9
Published: May 08, 2009
Randall Shepard, chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, will be the keynote speaker as the University of Evansville confers degrees upon its graduating class of 2009 on Saturday, May 9.
Shepard will speak at the Commencement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. in Roberts Stadium. The event will follow a 10:00 a.m. Baccalaureate service, where UE Chaplain Brian Erickson will serve as the keynote speaker, and an 11:15 a.m. Commencement Luncheon.
"The University of Evansville is extremely proud of the Class of 2009," said UE President Stephen Jennings. "During their time here, members of this class have done amazing things; they have started businesses, designed a hospital and feeding center in a depressed area of the Dominican Republic, taken our Lady Aces to the NCAA Tournament, and so many other things that I can’t even begin to list them all.
"This truly is an exceptional class, and we’re excited to watch as they share the talents they’ve learned and honed at the University of Evansville with the world."
Their Commencement speaker, Chief Justice Randall Shepard is a native of Evansville, and began his legal career in Vanderburgh County as executive assistant to Mayor Russell Lloyd. After that, he became judge of the Vanderburgh Superior Court, leading to an exceptional career in the State of Indiana that culminated in his becoming Chief Justice of the State of Indiana in March, 1987. In addition, he was special assistant to the Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Shephard graduated cum laude from Princeton University and from the Yale Law School. He earned a Master of Laws degree in the judicial process from the University of Virginia.
Shepard was also trustee of the National Trustee for Historic Preservation and served as chair of the ABA Appellate Judges Conference and of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. During the 2005-06 fiscal year, he served as president of the National Conference of Chief Justices. Recently, he was appointed to serve on the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Civil Rights. In addition, Shepard is the chairman of the Indiana Judicial Nominating Committee and leads a seven-person board charged with selection of Supreme Court Justices, filling other judicial vacancies, and administering discipline on cases of judicial misconduct.
For more on UE's 2009 Spring Commencement, please click here.
