The Hon. Carrie F. Ricci, General Counsel of the United States Army, delivered a Commencement address to the Elon University School of Law Class of 2024 in which she emphasized the importance of personal relationships, working hard, and kindness.
If there’s one piece of advice the general counsel of the United States Army wants young attorneys to heed, it’s this: take stock of personal relationships and invest time in them.
Personal relationships can open doors to new and exciting career opportunities. It’s what Ret. Lt. Col. Carrie F. Ricci credits for the opportunity to serve as the military branch’s chief lawyer ultimately responsible for determining the U.S. Army’s position on any legal question.
Mentors and personal relationships also help overcome doubt. Young professionals who place “faith over fear,” she says, will be surprised at what they accomplish.
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Ricci delivered that advice and more in a Commencement address on Dec. 13, 2024, to 134 graduates in the Elon University School of Law’s Class of 2024. With family members and friends gathered in Alumni Gym on the university’s main campus, the program was a culmination of intense legal studies and experiential learning over the past 2.5 years.
Throughout her speech, Ricci shared stories and wisdom drawn from her own career. For example: It took her time as a young attorney to realize the importance of pursuing opportunities even if she didn’t see someone like herself holding similar roles.
“Believe in yourself and know, even if you’re not seeing that person who is like you and it’s a goal that you want to accomplish, go for it,” she said. “Don’t stand in your own way. Don’t self-select out. If you don’t get the job that you want, let it be someone else’s decision, not yours because you didn’t think you could do it.”
Ricci also offered a word of caution to the Class of 2024.
“You cannot flourish – your career will not take off – if you don’t take care of yourself,” she said. “Carve out time for what is most important to you, whether it is family or a hobby or both, or whatever interests you. You have to make time for joy.
“You will not be a complete person if you don’t also care for yourself. Your law degree will elevate you, but it will not create you. So don’t forget what makes your soul sing – and do that. And if you remember nothing else from what I’ve said today, remember to develop those personal connections. In doing so, be kind. Work hard. And do the right thing.”
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Commencement for the School of Law’s 17th graduating class also featured a student address from Robert Retic L’24, a U.S. Navy veteran and Elon Law Leadership Fellow elected by the class to deliver remarks, and a welcome message from former Student Bar Association President Alexis Alston L’24.
Retic’s remarks focused on the attributes he believes made the Class of 2024 the most exceptional in Elon Law history: A collaborative and supportive environment, professionalism, a community of classmates grounded in empathy. Retic also noted the significance of the degrees about to be conferred on graduates.
“This degree represents more than just another title behind our names,” he said. “It shows that we have conquered what may very well be the most challenging endeavor of our lives. It also shows that we have fulfilled our ancestors’ wildest dreams, shattered generational curses, and sparked new legacies.
“Moreover, with this degree, we inherit not only the wisdom of the individuals who came before us but also the responsibility to build the future they envisioned.”
In her welcome, Alston likened the journey through law school to the process of writing a book.
“The knowledge we’ve gained here, the relationships we’ve built, and the experiences we’ve had will serve as the foundation for the next chapter of our lives,” she said. “To my fellow graduates: May your next chapter be filled with courage and conviction. May you be the kind of authors who write stories that make a difference, who challenge conventions, who fight for justice, and who never lose sight of the reason you started this journey in the first place.”
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The program included the presentation of the David Gergen Award for Leadership & Professionalism, the highest honor bestowed by Elon Law each year on an individual from the graduating class whose activities represent the twin principles of leadership and professionalism.
The award is named in honor of David Gergen, a former adviser to four American presidents whose professional life and contributions have embodied the highest levels of selfless leadership and service. Gergen recently concluded his service as chair of the Elon Law Advisory Board.
Assistant Professor Rosa Newman-Ruffin presented the 2024 award to Ashley Joines L’24, the former editor-in-chief of the Elon Law Review and co-director of the Elon Law Mentors program.
In her charge to graduates at the conclusion of the ceremony, Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book reminded the Class of 2024 that its journey through law school was about more than academic rigor – it was about applying knowledge in real-world settings through residencies-in-practice, moot court, mock trial, and team projects.
“Today, you stand as more than graduates—you are advocates, leaders, and change-makers,” Book said. “Equipped with a comprehensive legal education, you are ready to confront society’s most pressing challenges.
“Go forth with resilience and steadfastness. Carry the knowledge, skills, and values you have gained here into a world that deeply needs your expertise, empathy, and leadership. Uphold the principles of justice, serve with integrity, and strive to be a positive force in whatever path you choose. … Long live Elon!”
Carry the knowledge, skills, and values you have gained here into a world that deeply needs your expertise, empathy, and leadership.
– Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book
Elon University School of Law’s Class of 2024
Addie Johanna Thornley Ackley
B.S., West Virginia University
M.S., West Virginia University
Alexis Alston
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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Macaylee Lenae Anderson
B.S., Guilford College
Vincent Aprile
B.S., The College of New Jersey
Trevor Allen Arnett
B.S., Appalachian State University
Yvonne Judith Arnold
B.A., University of South Carolina
Kyra Ange Auguste-Diègue
B.A., University of North Florida
MBA, Elon University
Melo Shai Augustine
B.A., Wake Forest University
Stephanie C. Auth
B.A., Lake Forest College
M.S., Arizona State University
Kellyn Ray Baker
B.A., B.B.A., University of Mississippi
Cameron Chase Bauer
B.A., University of South Carolina
Madison Michelle Beckom
B.A., North Carolina State University
Jennifer Benavides
B.A., Wake Forest University
Alexandra R. Bentley
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M.J.A., Methodist University
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Alexis Webb Biesemeyer
B.A., Appalachian State University
Riley Elizabeth Bittner
B.A., Auburn University
Emma Catherine Blackman
B.S., North Carolina State University
Brianna Nicole Brooks
B.A., North Carolina State University
Christian Nathaniel Brooks
B.S., B.A., Appalachian State University
Harrison Grady Brown
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Jenna Faire Brzykcy
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Catherine F. Bunch
B.A., Western Kentucky University
Jaclyn Burke
B.S., University of South Carolina
Dominique Michele Buteau
B.A., Western Carolina University
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Stephen Hollis Carney
B.S.B.A., Western Carolina University
Elena McEwan Carrion
B.A., University of Virginia
Kathryn Geneva Caudill
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Tyson Camden Child
B.S., Appalachian State University
Rebekah Cid del Prado
B.A., Western Michigan University
M.S., North Carolina State University
James Austin Clarke
B.A., North Carolina State University
Julie Suzanne Cline
B.S., B.A., Appalachian State University
Hannah Alison Cola
B.A., University of Dayton
Samuel Dalton Collins
B.A., Wake Forest University
Olivia Gertrude Condon
B.S., North Carolina State University
Kiera Payton Connolly
B.A., University of South Carolina
Andrew Culpepper Conway
B.A., North Carolina State University
Ashley Nichole Cooper
B.A., Concord University
Grace Elizabeth Cooper
B.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Caroline Almeida DeCarvalho
B.A., University of Connecticut
Ryan M. Denver
B.S., Western Carolina University
Collin O. Donaghy
B.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Carson McKenly Durham
B.S., East Carolina University
Elizabeth Aisha Fadl
B.A., University of Virginia
MBA, Webster University
Zereda Lydia Farhat
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park
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John Jethro Ferebee III
B.A., North Carolina State University
Cuyler Rose Field
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
M. Turner Fitzgibbon
B.A., Clemson University
Emma Friedland
B.A., Bard College
Lillian Elizabeth Friedrich
B.A., Union College
Sarah Catherine Fuller
B.A., High Point University
Thomas Gieger
B.A., University of Delaware
Conner Jacob Gillmer
B.A., Washington College
Sanya Rose Glauber
B.A., University of Maryland
Brooks Duane Godbold
B.A., North Carolina State University
Esteban Gomez Flores
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Matthew John Grabowski
B.S., Endicott College
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Logan T. Graves
B.A., B.A., Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Jasmine Lashawn Green
B.A., North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
M.Ed., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Jonathan W. Greer
B.A., Clemson University
Sara Griffin
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Davis Lynn Gunter
B.A., Pensacola Christian College
Jesse M. Gutstein
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jordan Bradley Hinrichs
B.A., University of Texas at Austin
David Benjamin Holt
B.S., Longwood University
Ashton Taylor Hopson
B.A., University of South Florida
Lauryn Claire Hyatt
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Brendan Joshua Ikner
B.S., James Madison University
Jordon T. Inzerillo
B.A., B.A., University of Missouri – Kansas City
Rebecca Joy Iyoob
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ashley Leigh Joines
B.A., Clemson University
Ella Renee Jung
B.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Shereena Kamal
B.S., North Carolina State University
Sydney Elaine Keesee
B.A., North Carolina State University
M.E.L.P., Vermont Law and Graduate School
Joseph Michael Korin
B.S., University of South Carolina
Tina Lakic
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jordan Matthew LaTorre
B.A., University of Texas at San Antonio
Courtney Latourrette
B.A., Virginia Commonwealth University
Andrew J. Livingston II
B.A., Presbyterian College
Marena Elizabeth Long
B.A., New College of Florida
M.E.L.P., Vermont Law and Graduate School
Kayla Storm Cheyenne Maack
B.A., University of New Mexico
Brendan David Mann
B.A., Sewanee: The University of the South
Matthew Stephen Martin
B.A., University of Massachusetts Boston
Abbey Noel Marzen
B.A., University of South Carolina
Hannah Marie McCabe
B.A., Texas Tech University
Brooke Alexandria McCormick
B.A., Monmouth College
Kayla Cierra McLaurin
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Eduardo Mendes Flores
B.A., Texas A&M University
Naisha Mercury
B.S., East Carolina University
Brye Iolanda Meyer
B.A., University of Tampa
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Terrass Misher Sr.
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kelsey Montgomery
B.A., New York University
Jessica Morales
B.A., Wake Forest University
Will Tucker Morrison
B.A., Centre College
Anna Merryman Nash
B.S., East Carolina University
Ayooluwa Jonathan Onasanya
B.A., B.A., Elon University
Gabriella Maria Parisi
B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Nicholle P. Parsons
B.A., Iona University
M.S., Iona University
Carson Parker Dean Penry
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
John Powell Pittman II
B.A., Hampden-Sydney College
Nathaniel Garret Pool
B.A., West Virginia University
Moriah Lynn Porter
B.A., Gonzaga University
Chuom Prak
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Nicolas Carlos Quiroga
B.A., Pennsylvania State University
Lizet Guadalupe Ramirez-Rios
B.A., Wake Forest University
Anilla Candis Ramnarine
B.A., John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Joy Grace Reibold
B.A., Purdue University
Robert Jasper Douglas Retic
B.S., The College of Saint Rose
Sydney P. Rimmer
B.A., Bloomsburg University
Cameron Michael Samek
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Baleigh Grace Scheibner
B.A., North Carolina State University
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William Sullivan Shafer
B.A., William Peace University
Lance Hart Sigmon
B.A., North Carolina State University
Jacob Smith
B.A., Montana State University
Lauren Haley Smith
B.S., James Madison University
Emily Rose Spitler
B.A., The Pennsylvania State University
Tyleeah Symone Stanley
B.S., Ball State University
Victoria Stepien
B.S., Rutgers University
Amber L. Sullivan
B.A., B.A., University of South Carolina
Aashna Nayanesh Tarasaria
B.S., The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
MBA, High Point University
Kirsten Tildon
B.S., Towson University
Julia Rene Tobolski
B.S., Loyola University New Orleans
Kathleen Grace Turpin
B.A., University of South Carolina
Michael Scott Wallace
B.A., Salisbury University
Kelsey Grace Webb
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tyler Wester
B.S., East Carolina University
Briana Marie Whitfield
B.A., University of South Carolina
Serenity Roseann Wiles
B.A., Campbell University
Emma Marie Wilkinson
B.A., St. Olaf College
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James Mehki Williams
B.A., Coastal Carolina University
Jack Hamilton Willis
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Alfred Lee Wilson
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Lindsay Elizabeth Young
B.A., Salem College
Nicholas Young
B.S., University of South Carolina
Alex Michael Zigarovich
B.A., Ohio University