Maryland Carey Law was abuzz with excitement March 30-April 1 when hundreds of alumni and friends returned to Maryland Carey Law for Alumni Weekend 2023.
The celebration kicked off with the annual Alumni Honors Banquet on Thursday evening. Westminster Hall was packed with alumni and friends cheering on the 2023 award recipients:
- Distinguished Graduate Award: Paul A. Tiburzi '80
- Mary Ellen Barbera '84 Judicial Excellence Award: The Hon. Joseph M. Getty '96 (presented by Chief Judge Barbera)
- Benjamin L. Cardin '67 Public Service Award: Amy L. Petkovsek '06 (presented by Sen. Cardin)
- Star Award: Benjamin S. Salsbury '07
- Rising Star Award: Letam Duson '13
Paul Tiburzi ’80, recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award, shared appreciation for his law school experience in his remarks. “Everything I have accomplished came from this law school,” said the prominent lawyer and former managing partner at DLA Piper’s Baltimore Office. “I learned to write at this law school…I learned to think like a lawyer.”
The crowd witnessed especially heartfelt moments when Sen. Ben Cardin ’67 presented the public service award named for him to this year’s recipient Amy Petkovsek ’06 and when the Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera ’84 presented the judicial excellence award named for her to the Hon. Joseph M. Getty ’96, who followed Judge Barbera as chief judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals (recently renamed the Supreme Court of Maryland).
Friday was a full day of fun events, including the Golden Graduates Luncheon honoring those who graduated 50 or more years ago. The luncheon celebrated the class of 1973, which this year becomes part of the distinguished group. The Hon. Richard Bennett ’73 offered fond recollections from his law school years, and 2L Rebecca Wells talked about what life is like for students at Maryland Carey Law today. “I am consistently awed at how excited the alumni of this school are to return and give back to students,” she said, recognizing the role alumni coaches played in helping her to be scored the overall best attorney at this year’s National Trial Competition in Washington, D.C.
Alumni also attended an array of panels, talks, and programs, including a symposium on the role of law school clinics in decarceration efforts; an event hosted by the Women, Leadership & Equality Program exploring the history of the first women graduates of the law school; and a lively discussion with staff from the Center for Health and Homeland Security, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Also on Friday, the law school community spent an exciting night bidding on popular goods and services at the annual Maryland Public Interest Law Project auction. Proceeds directly support grants awarded to law students working unpaid internships at public interest organizations over the summer.
A little rain on Saturday did not dampen the enjoyment of the family-friendly picnic, with barbeque-inspired food, cornhole, face painting, and lawn games. Saturday evening featured a networking reception, where Dean Renée McDonald Hutchins addressed attendees. “I want to thank everyone here for taking time out of your busy schedules to come back to the law school to reconnect with your classmates and our broader alumni community,” said the dean. “We are deeply grateful for your engagement and hope you will continue to connect with us throughout the year.”
The evening culminated with milestone reunion dinners celebrating the classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018.
“We were delighted to welcome almost 500 alumni and friends back to the law school during Alumni Weekend 2023” said Director of Alumni Engagement Jason Keller. “Especially Saturday evening for Reunion, which was the largest celebration since our reunion program began in 2016. It was a wonderful three days celebrating community and leadership at Maryland Carey Law.”
Check out photo galleries from the weekend here:
Alumni Honors Banquet: https://photos.app.goo.gl/M1QGT6NqKLFxPxsQA
Golden Graduates Luncheon: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qY2gKwaaB6yhWYu37
Affinity Programs: https://photos.app.goo.gl/SL2LoVDMfQnvacBz6
Welcome Reception: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QuDTS2TKmrknQGk39
Coffee & Conversation: https://photos.app.goo.gl/tBB1Db7d2Mqv2Ghk9