Federal Judge Delivers Keynote Address at Inaugural Baylor Law School Convocation

Keep a sense of humor and don't take yourself too seriously. Those were the words of wisdom the Honorable Ed Kinkeade gave to Baylor University Law students at the inaugural John William and Florence Dean Minton Endowed Memorial Academic Convocation. Nearly 150 students, faculty and staff attended the student awards reception, which was held Monday, April 9, on the fifth floor of the Cashion Academic Building on the Baylor campus.

The academic convocation is a new event that, in part, will take the place of the school's Law Day activities.

"While Law Day has been successful, we have determined that we should replace it with multiple other events that are better tailored to each of the very important constituencies that have comprised our Law Day audiences," said Brad Toben, dean of the Baylor Law School. "We will be sharing more information on these improvements with our alumni and friends soon. The first step in this direction has been the academic convocation, which was so well received by our students as an event that allowed us to individually recognize student achievement."

After opening statements by Emily Hollenbeck, president of the Student Bar Association, and a prayer of invocation by second-year law student Matthew Cole, Toben introduced Kinkeade.

Currently U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Texas, Kinkeade earned his bachelor's degree and juris doctor at Baylor and received an LLM from the University of Virginia. During his legal career, he has served as an associate justice for the Texas Court of Appeals, Fifth District and earlier as judge of the 194th State District Court. He was appointed to his current position by President George W. Bush in 2002.

During his brief remarks that often brought laughter from the audience, Kinkeade spoke about his experience at Baylor Law School and as a Baylor lawyer. He reminded the students that each would find themselves working for people they do not agree with, but must represent with vigorous enthusiasm. He also stressed that being a lawyer, and especially a Baylor lawyer, is a great honor that should be respected constantly.

Following Kinkeade's speech, Hollenbeck presented the student awards. Additionally, members of the Dean's List, Inter- and Intra-Scholastic Competition team, Baylor Law Review as well as the Student Bar Association officers, were recognized.