Marsiglia Institute Fall 2018 Graduation

Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice Graduates Inaugural Class

United Way of Southeast Louisiana - Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice Graduates Inaugural Class

The final assignment for the Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice is daunting: prove your understanding of the U.S. Constitution during a simulated congressional hearing with veteran judges.

Twenty-five local professionals representing the program’s inaugural class proved their grace under pressure during the mock hearings and subsequent graduation reception held November 29 at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.

The Marsiglia Institute of Justice is a 12-week course on the U.S. Constitution created by Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and United Way of Southeast Louisiana's Public Policy Committee. The Institute is named in honor of the late Nancy M. Marsiglia, a founding member of United Way’s Women United and an enthusiastic participant of the Institute’s pilot program. 

Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Dean and Marsiglia Institute Advisory Board member Madeleine Landrieu opened the event by sharing the program’s origin story. 

“We set out to really engage a group of professionals from all walks of life, every race, every gender, everything…” Continuing, Landrieu explained how the Institute seeks to teach participants “that we can disagree, and not be disagreeable. We can take different positions and not think that the other is not wise. And that’s really how democracy happens and what it depends on.”

New Orleans City Councilmember Helena Moreno, a participant of the Institute’s pilot, then introduced the distinguished panel, including The Honorable Eldon Fallon, US District Judge of the Eastern Circuit of Louisiana; The Honorable Stephen A. Higginson, US Circuit Judge of the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; and The Honorable Terri Love, Judge for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana. 

During the mock hearings, groups presented their position on a constitutional issue such as voting rights, immigration, or religious freedom. The judges followed with questions digging deeper into the topic and testing the participants’ knowledge of constitutional principles.

United Way of Southeast Louisiana - Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute of Justice Mock Hearings

After the evaluation, students received graduation certificates and celebrated with classmates, family, and friends at a reception. Loyal supporters of the Institute in attendance included Advisory Board co-chairs Madalyn Schenk and Patty Riddlebarger, as well as Advisory Board members Michael Williamson, Charmaine Caccioppi, Clancy DuBos, and Michael Marsiglia.

View an album of photos from the event here. Special thanks to United Way staff member Pamela Allison, Curriculum Instructor Martha Lemoine Palmer, and Advisory Board member Dr. Raphael Cassimere, Jr.

Nancy M. Marsiglia Institute Fall 2018 Graduates

  • Lisa Marie Manning Ambrose

  • Carol Asher

  • Linda Bordelon

  • Devon Bowser

  • Bradley Cook

  • Maggie Daly

  • Donna Dees

  • Brett Emmanuel

  • Caroline Good

  • Edie Hall

  • Nowell Hesse

  • Pres Kabacoff

  • Ruth Kullman

  • Erica Labouisse

  • Keith Liederman

  • Tung Ly

  • Ronald “Ron” McClain

  • Andreas Pashos

  • Jennifer Quezergue

  • Monique Robinson

  • Kya Robottom

  • Natalie Robottom

  • Jessie Rubini

  • Jackie Shreves

  • Leah Todd