At the Ave Maria School of Law Annual Commencement Exercises, prospective graduates cross a threshold, shifting from efforts dedicated to preparing to become a member of the legal profession to the opportunity to apply that knowledge. The events not only recognize the completion of the educational program, they provide an opportunity for our graduates to reflect upon their accomplishment and acknowledge the support of their family and friends.
Ave Maria School of Law is pleased to announce Mr. Leonard Leo, Chairman of CRC Advisors and Chairman and Trustee of Marble Freedom Trust, as the 2025 Commencement Speaker.
CRC Advisors is a full-service public affairs firm that seeks to strengthen its clients by providing strategic guidance and bringing together the capabilities they need to win. As Chairman, Mr. Leo leads the firm and its focus on incubating new ventures for the conservative movement, connecting philanthropy to those ventures, and filling gaps in the capacities of existing conservative non-profits.
Mr. Leo launched Marble Freedom Trust in 2021 and shortly thereafter, it was the recipient of a historic gift from a distinguished Chicago industrialist and philanthropist with a deep commitment to America’s exceptionalism and founding principles. The trust exists to engage in conservative philanthropy that focuses on the rule of law, free markets, and other ideals fostered by the U.S. Constitution.
He also serves as Co-Chairman of the Federalist Society and Chairman of the Teneo Network, two of the most successful talent pipelines in the conservative movement. He has assisted two presidential administrations on judicial selection as an outside advisor and participated in the Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett Supreme Court selection and confirmation process, as well as the outside coalition efforts in support of the Roberts and Alito U.S. Supreme Court confirmations.
Mr. Leo was a recipient of the Bradley Prize for his work in advancing freedom and the rule of law. He was appointed by President George W. Bush to three terms as Chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He was also a U.S. Delegate to the U.N. Council and U.N. Commission on Human Rights. He holds degrees from Cornell University and Cornell Law School.
William Galvano, son of Bill and Julie Galvano, was born and raised in Bradenton, Florida. An Eagle Scout, William attended Manatee High School and earned his B.S. in Economics and Social Entrepreneurship from Florida State University.
During his time at Ave Maria School of Law, William earned the St. Thomas More Academic Scholarship, was a Dean’s Delegate, and served as the Executive Notes Editor of the Ave Maria Law Review. William interned for the Supreme Court of Florida under Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz. He was also a Summer Associate at his father’s law firm, Grimes Galvano, where he plans to work after taking the Florida Bar in July.
William is thankful for the support of his family and his girlfriend Morgan. He is especially grateful for the lifelong friendships he has made at Ave Maria Law, and will remember his time there fondly. He owes a great deal of appreciation to the professors and faculty at Ave Maria School of Law for their encouragement and promotion of the unique mission of the school, Fides et Ratio.
Baccalaureate Mass
Friday, May 16, 2025, 6 PM, St. Agnes Catholic Church
Commencement Exercises
Saturday, May 17, 2025, 1 PM, Artis-Naples
Graduation Fair
The Graduation Fair is scheduled for Friday, February 7th, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Prospective graduates will receive an appointment time to be photographed and order regalia and other graduation-related merchandise. The Commencement Information Form and Bar Course Commitment Form will be collected, including ticket reservations for the Commencement Exercises.
Commencement Tickets
Guests attending the 2025 Commencement Exercises are required to present a ticket for admission to the Artis-Naples this year. Tickets are free and must be reserved in advance. Seating is not assigned. Wheelchair seating is available. Candidates for graduation may request up to six (6) guest tickets using the Commencement Information Form at the Graduation Fair on February 7. Children who are less than 30 inches tall do not need a ticket but must sit on an adult’s lap during the ceremony without obstructing the view of other guests.
Additional ticket requests will be maintained by Dean Castro at kcastro@avemarialaw.edu. Candidates who anticipate they may use fewer tickets than they reserved on the Commencement Information Form are encouraged to notify Dean Castro so that those tickets can be made available to others. Commencement tickets may not be sold or copied.
Tickets will be distributed during cap and gown distribution.
Regalia Pickup and Return
Candidates will pick up their cap and gown from reception in the Administration Building, Dean’s Suite. Hoods will be presented during the Commencement Exercises.
All regalia must be returned following the Commencement Exercises to the designated area at Artis-Naples.
Wearing Regalia
Candidates should report for both the Baccalaureate Mass and the Commencement Exercises in cap and gown. The tassel should be worn on the right front of the cap. Students will be hooded as they cross the stage.
Baccalaureate Mass Instructions
Students of all faiths are encouraged to attend. Participants should report no later than 5:30 p.m. to St. Agnes Catholic Church. Do not bring valuable items as there will be no place to secure them during Mass. Mass begins at 6 p.m. During the Baccalaureate Mass, men should remove their caps at the end of the Opening Hymn and replace them at the end of the Mass at the beginning of the Recessional Hymn.
Commencement Exercises
The doors to the Artis-Naples open at noon on Sunday, May 17. Candidates for graduation should report no later than 12:15 p.m. (45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony). The Marshals will arrange candidates in alphabetical order and distribute name cards to be handed to the announcer before crossing the stage. Do not bring valuable items as there will be no place to secure them during the ceremony.
The Marshals will lead candidates to reserved seating in the auditorium. Candidates remain standing until after the Invocation. Men should remove caps during the National Anthem, the Invocation and later during the Benediction.
When it is time for each candidate to approach the stage, the Marshal will indicate when a particular row is to stand. Candidates proceed to the stage, hand the name card to the announcer, proceed to the hooding table and then cross the stage.
At the end of the ceremony, the faculty will exit first. The Marshals will lead the candidates from the auditorium.
Graduation Announcements, Class Rings, and Diploma Frames are available for purchase. Orders can be placed at the Graduation Fair as well as other times of the year. A sample diploma frame is on display in the Bookstore.
Order regalia and other items from Herff-Jones at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation
Cap and Gown Rental
Graduates are required to wear graduation regalia consisting of a Doctor of Law gown, tam, and hood with our school colors. Students will order their regalia online.
The regalia is a rental unit and must be returned following the Commencement Exercises to the designated area at Artis-Naples. Graduates may keep the tassel and tam as a souvenir.
Graduation Announcements
Graduation Announcements are personalized with the graduate’s name and degree incorporated into the body of the announcement text. All personalized announcement orders will be shipped via UPS. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
Class Rings
Among the traditions of graduating is the right to wear the official Ave Maria School of Law ring, which symbolizes years of achievement, pride, and hard work. The Ave Maria School of Law ring is an all gold signet ring featuring the official school seal. The ring may be customized with the graduate’s degree and year of graduation on the sides of the ring. If preferred, the sides of the ring may be left plain.
Diploma Frames
A line of custom-quality diploma frames that elegantly and distinctively combine the elements of aesthetics and preservation are available to graduates of Ave Maria School of Law. The frame allows your diploma to be removed and replaced at any time with ease. Mounting takes only minutes with the enclosed, simple-to-follow instructions.
Students may order from http://avemarialaw.universityframes.com
or
www.herffjones.com/college/graduation
A posed photograph of each student in graduation regalia and business attire is taken at the Graduation Fair. The photograph in regalia attire is used in the composite photograph of the graduating class. Students have the option to purchase photos. Orders should be placed at the Graduation Fair.
Baccalaureate Mass
Friday, May 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. St. Agnes Catholic Church 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. Naples, Florida
Directions from the Law School:
Proceed North on Vineyards Blvd to Vanderbilt Beach Road, turn right (east) 3 miles to the church entrance, just past Collier Blvd on the left.
Commencement Exercises
Saturday, May 17, 2025, 1 p.m.
Artis-Naples 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard S. Naples, Florida
Directions from the Law School:
Proceed north on Vineyards Blvd. to Vanderbilt Beach Road, turn left (west) 4.6 miles to US-41 (Tamiami Trail), turn left (south) 2.2 miles to Pelican Bay Blvd., turn right.
The following information is provided to facilitate arrangements for hotel accommodations for you and your guests on Commencement Weekend.
Best Western Naples Inn & Suites
Alternative Hotels within 10 Miles of Ave Maria School of Law:
Best Western Naples Plaza Hotel, 6400 Dudley Drive, Naples, FL (239) 643-6655
Courtyard by Marriott, 3250 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL (239) 434-8700
Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL (239) 430-4900
La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, FL (239) 597-3123
Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL (239) 227-2182
The Ritz Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, FL (239) 598-3300
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