May 19, 2012: Graduation Day!

Law School Dean Marty Katz (left) and Don Smith
(next to Dean Katz) congratulate Alphonsus Ihuoma on
earning his LLM degree in Environmental and Natural
Resources Law.  The others in the picture are friends
of Father Ihumomoa (who is also a Catholic priest).

Today, May 19, 2012, marked the completion of studies and graduation for nearly 30 students from the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Graduate Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. 

Despite the damp weather outside, the smiles of accomplishment were warm and inspiring at the graduation ceremony at the Ritchie Center and then later at the College of Law where a reception was held for the graduates and their families and friends.

"Graduation day is a wonderful day in the life of the law school," Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program said.  "It is a day of celebration that marks the end of one aspect of life as well as the beginning of the next step.  It was filled with joy for all of those who have worked so hard as well as those who have supported the students, sometimes at great sacrifice."

Left to right Amelie, Lucy, and Emma Daberkow, Noran
Alahmadi, Don Smith, Min Xiao, Annie Oman,
Tamiko Watanabe, Dela Obeng-Sakyi, and Veronica Morelli.

World Renewable Energy Forum

The Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Graduate Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law was a sponsor of this week's World Renewable Energy Forum (WREF). The WREF took place at the Denver Convention Center from May 13th-17th.

The event is significant because it combined the biennial World Renewable Energy Congress and the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Conference. The WREF featured speakers from around the world including industry professionals, renewable energy laboratories, and university academics.

Sturm College of Law's Professor Don Smith chaired a discussion on Monday the 14th. The topic for discussion was: Can U.S. Renewable Law and Policy Catch Up?  Professor K.K. DuVivier, who was on the panel, also used the conference to talk about her book, The Renewable Energy Reader.  The book was a popular attraction at the Program's booth.

"The WREF was a great opportunity for the ENRGP program to share information with professionals interested in attending the program. The forum also served as a way to help professionals become aware of the type of education our students recieve and increase their interest in hiring those who have obtained the LLM or Masters degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Law," said Professor Smith, who also directs the Graduate Program.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant