Hooding 2026: Celebrating a Major Milestone

Family, friends, and the Moritz community gathered Monday, May 11, to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 at Hooding.  

The Class of 2026 made its mark, not only on Moritz, but on people beyond Drinko Hall. Members of the class performed an impressive 5,610 pro bono hours, providing crucial legal service to individuals who need it. More than half of the class completed at least one externship, and many gained real-world experiences and honed lawyering skills through clinics. 

Dean Kent Barnett applauded the class’s accomplishments and the dedication they showed throughout their time as students. 

“Without hardship or effort, the most brilliant outcomes often wouldn't be possible,” he said. “Instead of shying away from hard work, it has shaped you into something extraordinary—a lawyer and leader, ready to face a world that needs bright, compassionate minds like yours.” 

Ethan Stack delivered the J.D. graduate remarks and reminded his fellow classmates of the opportunities that lie before them.  

“Sometime in the future, we will all think back to this moment when we ask ourselves, have I lived through interesting times?” Stack reflected. “But whenever someone asks that question, I believe it’s also incumbent upon them to ask another: If I have, what role did I have to play in it? This is what leaves me confident as I leave this stage today. We know what role we have to play in it.” 

Hooding speaker Erin Moriarty ’77 shared how she has seen the power of the law through her work covering stories on wrongful convictions. She encouraged the class to use their knowledge to make a difference.  

“The degree you earned today through hard work gives you tremendous power, but also great responsibility: to seek truth and justice, to do good, and to change lives for the better,” she said.  

Several graduates were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Moritz community.   

• The Dean’s Leadership Award was given to Adam Barone, Megan Etowski, and Madeline Williams for their leadership and commitment to creating a kinder, more just world.   

• The Moritz Leadership Award recognizes one student each year in each graduating class for demonstrating leadership outside of the classroom by involvement in university and college activities, student programs, and events. This year’s recipients were Rachel Russo (awarded for 1L year), Sabrina Mosimann (awarded for 2L year), and Joe Malinger (awarded for 3L year).    

• The Outstanding LLM Student Award was presented to Marco Andrea Carenza.  

• The MSL Outstanding Academic Achievement Award was presented to Lauren Lutman.   

• The Robert M. Duncan Service Scholarship goes to one student for outstanding service contributions to the college community. The award is named in honor of the late Robert M. Duncan, whose long career was marked by courage and excellence - also hallmarks of the recipients of the award. This year’s recipient was Eric Andrew Johnson.   

• The Christopher Fairman Award is chosen by vote of the graduating class. It honors the student who best exemplifies the late Christopher Fairman’s acceptance of individual difference and support of free expression as an essential part of a strong and inclusive community. Manar Alrjub was this year’s recipient.  

• The Greogory Travalio Clinic Award goes to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding client and community service, enthusiasm for their work, and dedication to improving their lawyering skills. This year’s recipients were Ilya Ismadi, Sophia Osborne Mitchell, George Nomikos Sdregas, Emma Gabrielle Vertin, and Julia Barragate. 

• The Excellence in Externship Award recognizes students who have gone above and beyond in their externship placements. Students receiving this award are nominated by their placement, not by Moritz faculty. This year’s winners are Jillian Grimsley and Callia Tellez. 

• Angelica Yvonne Wagner received the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants Legislation Clinic Award. 

• The Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Award of Excellence in Externship was given to Donovan Hewitt.  

The graduating class also recognized staff and faculty who had a profound impact on their experiences. For her unwavering support of students and thoughtful service as Registrar, the class selected Sue Judd as the Outstanding Staff Award recipient. Colleen Settineri was selected as the recipient of the Morgan E. Shipman Outstanding Professor Award. Settineri holds the Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Professorship for the Administration of Justice and Rule of Law. An alumna of Moritz, she leads the College’s Appellate advocacy program and is a previous recipient of The Ohio State University’s Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.  

Graduates are planning to work in 19 different states and abroad in several different countries. They are working in a variety of industries, including government, small and large firms, judicial chambers, and more. Although their time as students has concluded, the Class of 2026 certainly have bright futures ahead.