CNN'S GRETA VAN SUSTEREN DELIVERS SPRING 2001  COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS AT STETSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW May 5, 2001

Biography of Greta Van Susteren

CNN’s legal analyst Greta Van Susteren, host of The Point With Greta Van Susteren, co-host of Burden Of Proof with Roger Cossack, and contributor to CNN’s legal Web page www.CNN.com/LAW, began her association with the network in 1991.  Over the years, she has contributed legal analysis to the high-profile trials of O.J. Simpson, William Kennedy Smith and has covered Election 2000, including the Florida vote recount and that state’s related Supreme Court rulings. Van Susteren interviewed President Bill Clinton and contributed significant news analysis during Clinton’s impeachment proceedings and subsequent trial.  For CNN.com’s Law Center, Van Susteren participates in an interactive Q & A called Ask Greta where she answers questions about legal issues in the news, sent via email by Internet users.  As a trial attorney, Van Susteren has represented clients in civil and criminal cases ranging from murder, racketeering and death penalty cases, to divorce, product liability and patent/contract disputes. She holds a law degree and master of laws in trial advocacy from Georgetown Law Center, where she served as an adjunct law professor from 1982 to 1999. From Stetson University College of Law, she received an honorary doctor of laws degree at the College's May 5, 2001 Commencement. Van Susteren received the 2000-2001 Sandra Day O’Connor Medal of Honor from Seton Hall University. 

Commencement Address of Greta Van Susteren

"President Lee, Chancellor Duncan, Boards of Trustees and Overseers, Dean Vause, Very Distinguished Guests, Family and Friends, and Members of the Stetson University College of Law Class of 2001:

First, and of course, most important: A hearty congratulations to each graduate. You have worked for three long, hard years — classes, lectures, textbooks, and, I know, study guides — and now this day has arrived — finally arrived. And what fun it is for me to celebrate it with you. I am immensely flattered that you asked me to participate, and I am very proud to be here.

I want to be the first to welcome you to the most fascinating, challenging, important, and noble career you could choose — the law. This profession is the architect and enforcer of such historic laws as civil rights and equal rights. It is the defender of such profoundly important rights as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association. In short, you are now joining that discipline which stands for the simple but elementary concept of fairness and justice for all. Not a bad idea, is it? And now it becomes your job to defend these principles.

But before I delve too deeply into my talk with you today, I think you might find interesting a conversation I had many moons ago, but which is very relevant today. About 20 years ago, I stopped in to see an old law professor of mine at Georgetown University Law Center. He was the tenured professor in charge of all clinical programs; he was a very good teacher who wanted his students to be the best. At the time, I was a recent graduate. He was obviously a bit distressed; something had upset him. I warmly inquired what the problem was, and he replied with one word: Stetson.

I thought the one-word response odd. And the lawyer I was then, looking for more facts and evidence, asked him why "Stetson" was a problem. He replied: "They beat us again." I pushed for more details.

He then went on to tell me how Stetson had once again won a national advocacy championship, how Stetson dominated the field in the area of advocacy. In sum, Stetson was clobbering and intimidating all the other schools across the nation.

I then asked the dumb question: Why?

He replied: "Simple. They have the best program in the nation. They actually teach law students to become lawyers."

I thought then, and I think now — tongue in cheek — what an odd concept: actually teaching law students to become lawyers, advocates for others, advocates for rights. So the secret is this: what the other schools and other law students are not saying to you is that 20 years ago, this school was intimidating law schools and law students from coast to coast. And guess what? You are still intimidating.

I know that for the second year in a row, this law school has been ranked number two in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for its program in trial advocacy. I can't help but wonder: is it too late for me to get some tips from you?

And while I am on the topic of the triumphs of this school and its student body, the victories keep coming. Just a few weeks ago, the Stetson team took second place at the American Bar Association’s annual National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition in Chicago. Stetson is the only school to have won the championship three years in a row, and is the only school to have won the Championship four times in its eleven year history.

At still another recent competition, Stetson took the top honor nationally when it competed at a competition co-sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers. The dominance continues, and, as you all know I could go on and on and on about all the triumphs on this campus.

Just as you graduates deserve a nod today, so does your faculty. These accomplishments are a team effort, just as the law is — no one does it alone. In short, you are tough, you are thorough. You are good. You are the best.

So now what? What do you do when you have the combination of the most noble profession and the best advocates? Do you stop and take a bow? Yes. You stop and take your bow. That is what today is all about. You deserve it — it has been three long years of study and learning. And you have successfully completed the requirements for your law degree. Pat yourselves on your back; we are here to publicly announce your accomplishment.

But after today, there is tomorrow. And that is when you take that which you have learned and achieved here and turn toward the wonderfully mysterious and exciting future. You must continue to set goals, and you must meet them. There is much to do from this day forward — and I assure you, it won't be dull.  

As you graduate today, take a look around at both the times you live in and the country you live in. Times are great for many. Technology has permitted us to go places previously unimaginable.

The Internet is extraordinary; it allows us to communicate to all corners of the earth — even to import our views on freedoms and fundamental rights to others who may not live freely as we do. Just the other day, in China, a Chinese court sentenced a 36-year-old man to four years in prison on charges he tried to subvert the government by posting political essays on the Internet. Imagine that in this country — you can't.

In fact, let's compare: For years we have full-time protesters demonstrating in Lafayette Park across the street from the White House with huge anti-U.S. policy signs. They have a right to speak their minds. While their set-up might be an eyesore, their presence proves how great this country is because they have the right to express their critical views in big posters, even across from the White House. And on the rare occasion when the Lafayette Park protesters slip and violate an ordinance, like sleeping in the park, and get arrested, what happens? Our government steps in and pays for them to have a lawyer in court. It's in the Constitution.

As we ponder the great wonders of our time, take a look at other intriguing current events. Whether you think it a good idea or not, you must marvel at the idea that we are now at a time when tourism has begun in outer space. Mr. Dennis Tito, for a hefty ticket price of 20 million dollars, is touring outer space. While it seems unlikely that one of us will be joining him soon unless a coach class seat becomes available, it shows you are graduating in a new time with new issues and new excitement.

But even with access to all corners of the world — and for some, access to outer space — this place here — America — is still the best. No nation comes close to ours. No nation has the freedoms, the opportunity, or the power — or the responsibility.

Many countries struggle with internal discord of unimaginable magnitude. Death and destruction are commonplace in many countries. Consider the recent report that in the Congo alone, three million people have died in the last few years in war. I am sure you know how poor health and poor water supply are killing thousands around the world at levels that are unreal to us Americans. Human rights violations are a way of life in many countries: the Sudan, Afghanistan, Sierre Leone, China, and I could go on and on.

You live in a time when the law is not stagnant on an international level. Consider the revolutionary idea, whether you agree with it or not, of a permanent international criminal trial court. This world has seen ad hoc criminal trials — Nuremberg and Yugoslavia to name two — but never a permanent tribunal to attempt to right the wrongs and punish those who have violated basic human rights.

A permanent international criminal court has recently been proposed because today the world refuses to look away as people are slaughtered in countries not our own.

There is a worldwide effort to find some solution to justice for all. At this time in history, legal scholars debate whether America should be involved or not in a permanent international criminal tribunal. America has not yet signed the treaty creating this court. It is not clear if it ever will, but this is an important issue that your generation of graduates will ultimately be called upon to decide.

We in America are at peace. And while we may engage from time to time in domestic turmoil, we remain strong and vigorous. While you have been attending law school, this country has had significant domestic political upheaval. While history books may shame us, there is a bright side, one that proves the self-evident point that we should be proud of America.

Both the senate impeachment trial of former President Clinton and the election confusion of this past presidential election unquestionably attest to the strength of our democracy. Despite critical remarks cast in all sorts of directions, and accusations from people coast to coast, neither incident drew one drop of blood. Few countries could endure such political upheaval and emerge stronger — and we are stronger.

But no matter how great this country is, it is not perfect. And that is where you come into the picture. Being a lawyer is not a job. It is not a game. It is a responsibility. It is an exciting and fun one, but a responsibility nonetheless. 

After the celebration ends today, in short order you will start studying for the bar. And you will pass it. And you will take the oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Of course, no more brilliant political document exists than the U.S. Constitution. For more than 200 years it has guided America to its greatness. Any inequities that have occurred in American history are not to be blamed upon this document, but upon those called on to enforce it and to interpret it — usually us — lawyers and judges.

It is extraordinary that this brilliant document could be so alive today, and it is. I think we all can conclude that the hard work drafting the Constitution during that hot summer in Philadelphia was well worth it as we look at all that we, as a nation, have accomplished. We must never risk that the Constitution be ignored, taken for granted, or simply discarded. It is now your job, as lawyers, law professors, and no doubt soon-to-be judges, to protect it.

The constitution created a government with infinite wisdom, divided into three separate but equal parts to protect the citizens from tyranny. And protecting citizens remains this document's job today, and it will be your job to enforce it. Amendments were added, again preserving and reminding to anyone who might have doubt concerning freedoms such as religion, speech, association, and the press.

While the United States is so great, and the Constitution so strong and powerful, all is not perfect. The Constitution speaks to equality. But the truth is we are a nation that is a work in progress, despite all our best wishes and despite the brilliant Constitution. We cannot ignore that many Americans still live in poverty and that many Americans still suffer discrimination; discrimination rears its ugly head in many grotesque ways. And many Americans still have no political voice. Therein lies your responsibility as good citizens, and now, as lawyers.

As lawyers, go out there and help. Take those talents honed at this fine institution and make a difference. Make both America better and the world better. The combination of your intellect and your drive is needed and will be appreciated — as you make both America and the world better.

Use your influence and your power wisely. As with every generation of graduates, there are tough, but exciting and challenging, decisions to be made for the future. Each generation has a duty to make the world better for the next, and now my generation has begun the process to turn to you. Let me add in a very flip, but genuinely endearing manner, as we all look forward to very thrilling times: "Tag, you are it"; it’s your turn to make America and the world better."

We welcome your comments.
Please e-mail us at webmaster@law.stetson.edu.

This page was last updated on 11/20/01.