A path breaking Harvard University Law School professor and former clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall will keynote the 2017 Commencement exercises at Roger Williams Law School on May 19th at 1 p.m. at the RWU Athletic Field on the Bristol campus at One Old Ferry Road.

Professor David B. Wilkins of Harvard Law School, who will deliver the commencement address, is a leading voice on diversity and change within the legal profession.

“Professor Wilkins is the perfect commencement speaker,’’ said Michael  Yelonsky, RWU law dean. “He is among the most influential legal academics studying and writing about the legal profession and lawyers.’’

Wilkins will be awarded an honorary degree. Two other lawyers will receive honorary degrees at the graduation exercises – Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit and Professor Bruce I Kogan, a founding faculty member of the RWU Law School.

“At Roger Williams University, we think it is particularly important to recognize those who have contributed to the public good and who reflect on institutional mission of strengthening society,’’ said RWU President Donald Farish.

Scott MacKay retired in December, 2020.With a B.A. in political science and history from the University of Vermont and a wealth of knowledge of local politics, it was a given that Scott MacKay would become...