Updated as of 3:44 on Dec. 14 to include video.

As undergraduate students hurried to their morning finals and packed up to head off to break, the Elon Law class of 2024 was savoring their final moments before officially receiving their Jurisprudence Doctorate during the commencement ceremony for the class of 2024 on Dec. 13 in Alumni Gym. 

Elon Law School describes its mission as creating prepared, ethical and professional lawyers. According to the family of one graduate, Kyra Aguste embodies what it is to be an Elon Law graduate, describing her as the epitome of perseverance. 

“Her graduation means the world,” Kyra’s mother said.

The Aguste family was not alone in their pride for the class of 2024, as many attendees brought flowers, noisemakers and even bongos to the ceremony.  The energy in the auditorium pulsed with excitement as each graduate entered the room and took their seat. 

Student Bar Association, an organization committed to upholding professional and just legal practices at several universities across the country, president Alexis Alston, opened the ceremony with a speech applauding the class of 2024. She praised her classmates for their accomplishments and compared her time at Elon Law School to the prologue of a great novel. 

Alston described her class as a group of hard-working people eager to move on to the following chapters of their lives. 



Student commencement speaker, Robert Retic, said not only was his class ready for the next chapter, but they are on the road to change the entire industry with their work. 

During an interview with Elon News Network, Retic said what he wanted people to take away from his speech was the inspiration to leave their mark on the world. 

“It’s our generation’s time to spark a new legacy,” Retic said. 

Throughout his speech, he honored those bravely breaking what he described as a “generational curse” and creating new standards of diversity and inclusion in the law profession.  

Elon Law School also welcomed Army General Council Carrie Ricci as a guest speaker for the ceremony. Formerly a member of the U.S. Senate and senior executive with the Department of Agriculture, Ricci now works as the chief attorney for the U.S. Army. 

With her vast experience as an attorney, Ricci focused her speech on offering advice to the graduating students. Ricci acknowledged the upcoming challenge of studying for and taking the BAR test as well as the accomplishment of graduating from law school. 

She assured the graduates they possess the necessary skills to pass the test and excel in their field. Ricci, throughout her speech, also encouraged students to focus on making personal connections and relationships throughout their coming careers. 

“Your job includes helping people,” Ricci said. “It can be rewarding; it can be taxing. But always be sincere.”

Along with a diploma, each graduate received an oak sapling to symbolize their growth at Elon. In parting words to the graduates, President Connie Book said she hopes graduates continue to grow and carry Elon’s values with them all throughout their careers.