Hofstra Law alumna Sallie Manzanet-Daniels ’88, associate justice, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, will deliver the commencement address and be awarded a Doctor of Laws at Hofstra Law’s Commencement Ceremony, to be held on Monday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, Hofstra University.
Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels was born and raised in New York City and is a product of the New York City public schools. She is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1985. Justice Manzanet-Daniels is a 1988 graduate from Hofstra Law, where she attended on a full scholarship.
While at Hofstra Law, she founded and served as the first president of the Latino Law Students Association in 1987-1988. As an alumna, Judge Manzanet-Daniels co-founded and served as the first chair of the LALSA Alumni Scholarship Fund, which continues to raise thousands of dollars for aspiring Latino law students.
In November 1999, Sallie Manzanet-Daniels was elected as Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Bronx County. In November 2001, she was elected — and received a gubernatorial citation for becoming, at the age of 37, the youngest justice of Hispanic heritage ever elected — to the New York State Supreme Court.
In October 2009, Gov. David Paterson ’83 appointed Justice Manzanet-Daniels to the Appellate Division, First Department, thereby making her the first Latina justice in the history of New York State to serve on this Court.
Below is more information about graduation:
Graduates Celebration and Awards Ceremony
Prior to Commencement, the Class of 2015 Graduates’ Celebration and Awards Ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the John Cranford Adams Playhouse. The program begins with an introduction and welcome by Dean Lane and then speeches by elected 3L Speaker David Ackerman and elected Teacher of the Year Professor Kevin McElroy. The ceremony continues with the presentation of various awards that recognize student accomplishments throughout law school, and a speech by Student Bar Association 3L Representative Courtney Klapper. The students receiving awards will be notified via email on Friday, May 15.
The program will last approximately one hour and a light reception will be served at the Law School immediately following the celebration to which students’ family and friends are welcome. Tickets are not necessary for this event. Please note that students do not wear academic attire to this ceremony.
Commencement Ceremony
The Commencement Ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. in the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The ceremony will last approximately two hours. Sallie Manzanet-Daniels ’88, associate justice, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, will deliver the opening remarks. At the Commencement Ceremony, the President of the University will confer the degrees, and students will walk across the stage to be announced by name, hooded and congratulated by Dean Lane. Tickets are not necessary for this event.
Cap and Gown
Students may pick up their academic attire in the Plaza Rooms, Mack Student Center, between the hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14. Please present a valid Hofstra ID when picking up your academic attire.
Robing and Assembly
Instructions regarding robing and assembly will be given to students when they pick up their academic attire. On the day of Commencement, students should line up in the Physical Education Complex at 6 p.m. The Physical Education Complex is located next to the Arena. Family and friends are free to enter the Arena and sit as they wait for the ceremony to begin. As students enter the Physical Education Complex, please stop by the table near the entrance to pick up a yellow index card. This card will have their name on it, as it is to be read when they walk across the stage. Please read the name carefully and make any necessary changes, and add a phonetic spelling of the name if needed. Once the processional lines are formed, students will walk into the Arena, and the ceremony will begin.
For more information, visit hofstra.edu/Commencement.