Gratitude at Commencement: Dan Lewerenz’s Message to the Class of 2026
Professor Dan Lewerenz reminds graduates that success is never achieved alone.
In his Summer Commencement address, Dan Lewerenz, associate professor of law at the University of North Dakota, encouraged the Class of 2026 to recognize and thank the people who helped them reach graduation. Drawing on his own family history—including the story of his great-grandmother’s determination to earn an education—Lewerenz offered a heartfelt reminder that achievement is built on both individual effort and the support of others. His message: don’t wait for Thanksgiving to give thanks—make gratitude a daily practice.
