College of Law

Dear College of Law Class of 2023,

Congratulations on your commencement from the West Virginia University College of Law! This significant milestone marks the beginning of an exciting journey that holds endless promise and potential.

We take great pride in knowing that you will carry on the tradition of generations of distinguished Mountaineer alumni, using the knowledge and skills you have acquired to lead and serve communities throughout the state of West Virginia and the world. Your achievement is a testament to your hard work, perseverance and dedication to the study of law. We look forward to celebrating your future successes with you.

As you embark on your new journey, we encourage you to rejoice in your many achievements and to face your future with confidence. It is also a good moment to reflect on your time at the College of Law. Through many triumphs and challenges, you developed critical thinking, reading and communication skills, you learned a great deal about law and society in the classroom and outside of it and you made lifelong friends.

We have been privileged to learn from you, just as you have learned from us. Your families and friends are tremendously proud of you, and we are, too.

On behalf of our faculty, staff and fellow Mountaineers, I am sending our best wishes as you leave us to begin a new journey full of joy, hope and confidence that you’re prepared to engage in the legal profession in a meaningful way. We know that you are ready to serve our profession well, no matter where your career leads you next.

Good luck with your new endeavors. Please stay in touch and come back to visit us on Law School Hill soon!

Take good care,

Amelia Smith Rinehart
William J. Maier, Jr. Dean and Professor of Law