Jan Ashby, a 1969 alumna of the U, is originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia. When looking for colleges, her parents suggested she stay in Virginia and attend the University of Richmond. In the summer of 1964, while she was still searching for colleges, Ashby’s parents sent her on a trip to Europe on the SS United States, where she met other students her age. Among them was a young man who told Ashby of his plans to attend the University of Miami to play football. Ashby didn’t stay in touch with him or even remember his name, but what she does remember is her immediate inspiration to apply to the University of Miami. Today, she “lives and breathes” the University of Miami and taught all her children to throw up the “U”, including her daughter Ann Light.
Light has loved the University of Miami her entire life. She decided to come to law school during a pivotal moment in her divorce mediation when she took charge of the losing situation and successfully negotiated her own settlement agreement. The experience ignited a passion for helping others in desperate need and the realization that if she did not pursue law school, she would always have regrets. She transferred to Miami Law after her 1L year because of her deep love for the university and the unlimited opportunities it provides for students. She says that the law school has given her a priceless experience. Each day as she walked to class, she took in the beauty of the campus and thought of her mom and her time here over fifty years ago.
While a student at UM, Ashby was active in the Delta Gamma Sorority and majored in communications. She has maintained lifelong friendships with her sorority sisters. Ashby formed the University of Miami Alumni Club in Richmond, Virginia, in the early 2000s. She continues to make annual contributions to the university, now extending her support to the law school as well. After graduation, Ashby spent her career at Verizon as an office and project manager for large accounts. She is now retired.
Light was the managing editor of the International Comparative Law Review, a member of the trial team, and competed the International Moot Court program. She also earned an LLM in Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law. Her favorite activity at UM was being a Law Ambassador. Recently, she was honored as this year’s student commencement speaker at graduation. In her speech, she highlighted everything that the University of Miami means to her, including the “boundless opportunities only Miami Law gives its students to explore more, dig deeper, and learn from unique experiences, a diverse community, and dedicated professors with open doors who keep us curious.”
Before law school, Light was a teacher, then worked for The Economist and Orange Theory as a coach. After law school, she will join the team at Mase Seitz Briggs as a trial attorney, a job she obtained through the Office of Career and Professional Development. Notably, both Thomas Briggs, J.D. ’03, and William Seitz, J.D. ’09, are Miami Law alumni.
Ashby considers the University of Miami her main hobby. She loves watching sporting events, making connections with other alums and students, and talking about the U. She enjoys attending plays and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also rescues and cares for senior dogs.
Light still loves Orange Theory, running, and dancing. She is a mother of two children, one of whom is named after the University of Miami’s mascot, Sebastian.
Ashby and Light are both extremely proud to be ‘Canes. Light highly encourages alumni to show their support for the school, whether it be financially or through mentoring students. She says that some of her best experiences at UM have been because of the mentorship of alumni. Ashby’s parting words are: “It’s all about the U!”
