Student Life

College of Law celebrates dedication and hard work of its graduates

Family and friends attended commencement ceremony at the Chicago Theatre

Student Life

College of Law celebrates dedication and hard work of its graduates

Family and friends attended commencement ceremony at the Chicago Theatre

Mary Hansen|May 26, 2026
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Family and friends celebrated the College of Law graduates alongside DePaul faculty and administrators.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

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Belle Nasser, the student speaker at the 2026 DePaul College of Law commencement ceremony, tells the crowd she learned from her professors and classmates alike.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

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DePaul alumna and Kirkland & Ellis partner Donna Welch (JD '94) gives the commencement address at the 2026 DePaul College of Law ceremony.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

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DePaul College of Law Dean Geoffrey Rapp addresses the crowd at his first commencement ceremony with the college.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

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DePaul President Robert L. Manuel declares the College of Law Class of 2026 graduated at a ceremony on May 24.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

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Some 180 DePaul College of Law graduates received their law degrees Sunday at a ceremony at the historic Chicago Theatre on May 24.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

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Family and friends celebrated the College of Law graduates alongside DePaul faculty and administrators.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

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DePaul College of Law Professor Julie Lawton hoods a graduate at the commencement ceremony on May 24.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

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Family and friends celebrated the College of Law graduates alongside DePaul faculty and administrators.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

UC_ONLY_Law20.jpg

Some 180 DePaul College of Law graduates received their law degrees Sunday at a ceremony at the historic Chicago Theatre on May 24.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

UC_ONLY_Law32.jpg

Family and friends celebrated the College of Law graduates alongside DePaul faculty and administrators.

(Giacomo Cain/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

Some 180 DePaul College of Law graduates received their law degrees Sunday at a ceremony at the historic Chicago Theatre. Family and friends celebrated the milestone alongside DePaul faculty and administrators.

DePaul alumna and Kirkland & Ellis partner Donna Welch (JD '94) gave the commencement address. She spoke about the shared values of service, ethics and impact.

"As lawyers and future members of the bar — each of you now has unique skills that can help you give back, and make a difference," she told graduates. "Use them well."

Belle Nasser, this year's student speaker, said she learned from her professors and classmates alike.

"It has been an honor to learn and grow alongside you, and I cannot wait to see the amazing things you all do, not only legal professionals but as people," Nasser said.

Sunday’s ceremony was the first DePaul commencement for College of Law Dean Geoffrey Rapp, who joined the university last summer. He told those gathered what drew him to the DePaul community.

“This is a community that puts its members front and center, that embraces the notion that you can be part of a profession dedicated to fighting for your position but still treat other people with compassion and dignity,” Rapp said. 
Read more about the Class of 2026 here. 
 

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