Braided and tasseled cords. Satin embroidered stoles. Mortar boards, doctoral tams, colorful hoods, and shiny medals. These are the totems of academic achievement. More than 300 students donned regalia like this on Mother’s Day as Emory University School of Law held its Diploma Ceremony recognizing the law school’s 108th graduating class.

The pomp and circumstance were heralded by the traditional bagpipes and procession that Emory Law has long employed. The faculty were led to their reserved stations by Faculty Marshal Magdalena Tulibacka, assistant teaching professor and director of the Center for International and Comparative Law. The queue of beaming students was headed by Ella Ponsell 26L, who was named student marshal for holding the highest grade point average among her graduating juris doctor peers. That honor includes being the bearer of the Emory Law gonfalon.

Mark Engsberg, director of library services and professor of practice, implored in his inspirational invocation: “Give us minds that seek the truth and hearts that feel empathy. In the struggle between might and right, grant us the courage to choose what is just, especially for those whose voices are seldom heard.”

Richard D. Freer, dean and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law, reminded those assembled that graduating students began their Emory Law journey at orientation 1,007 days before graduation day, later reminding them that they made it through because of thousands of little decisions. Their success, he said, is the result of a bridge of days.

Three members of Team Emory Law, as Freer calls the law school community, received special awards during the ceremony.

Ifeoma Ajunwa was recognized with the Provost's Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education. Presented to faculty members in each of Emory’s seven graduate and professional schools, this award recognizes faculty who have made significant contributions that impact and advance Emory through teaching.

Ajunwa’s nominators praise her innovation in curriculum and in teaching methodologies. In courses such as Privacy and AI Law in addition to core legal canon such as Business Associations, students praise Professor Ajunwa for fostering an environment of participation, inquiry, and ambitious learning. She welcomes creative and critical thinking. Students note they “felt supported and challenged, an experience that stands out among core courses and reflects her commitment to inclusive, high-impact legal education.” Professor Ajunwa’s influence spans far beyond the classroom. She regularly supervises student scholarship, advises student organizations, and demonstrates a deep commitment to student development.

Each year, the graduating class selects one of its peers for recognition as the Most Outstanding Third-Year Student. This year’s honoree is Greear Webb 26L, a Woodruff Fellow, Moot Court Society member, and recipient of the Burt and Betty Schear Book Prize, among other honors. Webb has earned the respect of students and faculty alike. Webb recently told our communications staff that “to be an alum of Emory Law means to put people first and remember that Emory lawyers are those who serve others by putting the law into action.”

Adjunct Professor Samuel Donaldson earned the Most Outstanding Professor Award. In 2025, Donaldson was presented with the Distinguished Adjunct Professor Teaching Award. This year, he spoke somewhat facetiously to the students, saying, “Every day you remind us of why we have the best jobs. We get to interact with the leaders of tomorrow: the lawyers and judges who will preserve and advance the rule of law, the policymakers who will make their communities better, the academics who will get to inspire the next generation and, in a couple of cases from this year's class, the reality TV stars of tomorrow who will inspire us. The only downside to the job is that you're only here for three years. There's so much more to teach!”

Before George Shepherd, professor of law, led the assembly in the singing of the alma mater, Elvin J. Sutton Jr. 00L, Emory Law Alumni Board president, provided a charge to the new alumni: “From this day forward, you belong to a global Emory Law family—judges, advocates, counselors, public servants, and leaders—connected by shared experiences, shared responsibility, and a lifelong commitment to excellence. At the heart of Emory Law is a clear and enduring truth: we are one united Emory Law family.”