More than 100 new students participated in the first day of orientation activities as Elon University School of Law opened its second academic year Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Weaver building in downtown Greensboro. Details...
Dean Leary Davis welcomed the class of 104 students and told them their
sense of fairness and commitment to justice played an important role in
their decision to become Elon Law students.
“We are drawn to this profession because of a shared vision of
justice,” Davis said. “You came to law school because you want to be a
powerful person, and there’s nothing wrong with that. As a lawyer, you
can use that power to help people solve their problems.”
As law students, Davis said they are part of two networks—the
Elon School of Law and more than one million lawyers across the nation.
“All of us need to remember that the networks we are building should
not be isolated,” Davis said, inviting students to become active in
community service as well as the local legal community. “You will be a
bridge to the profession, but more importantly, the profession can be a
bridge for us if we let them.”
Local attorneys were also on hand to greet the new class. Attorney
Clark Smith of Lexington, past president of the North Carolina Bar
Association, told students they should be excited about the journey
that awaits them.
“This is a cutting-edge school,” said Smith, pictured at right. “You are going to be
trained in the law, but you are also going to be trained to be a
leader. So many other schools train you to become a lawyer and simply
hope you will become a leader….You will be proud to say you are a
graduate of Elon.”
Greensboro attorney Steve Crihfield welcomed students on behalf of the
North Carolina State Bar, which is responsible for licensing and
disciplining of lawyers, and told them of services the bar provides to
attorneys. Attorney Bill Hoyle brought greetings on behalf of the
Greensboro Bar Association. Chad Hinton, president of Elon’s Student
Bar Association (SBA), encouraged the class to become active in the
life of the law school. After the program, the N.C. Bar Association
sponsored a pizza lunch for new students.
First-year student Al Sergiacomi of Newton, NC, said he was grateful
for the support of local attorneys on his first day of law school.
“I appreciate them coming over to spend some time with us,” Sergiacomi
said. “Elon has a vested interest in its students, and it was nice to
know that local attorneys are also interested in our success.”
Jamie Duncan of Charlotte said any apprehension about the opening day
of law school was tempered with excitement about what the future holds.
“I’m excited to be in a new city and to meet new peers,” Duncan said.
“I’m looking forward to learning to analyze things as lawyers do.”
In addition to the presentations, students also finalized class
registration and handled a variety of details, including parking,
Phoenix Card identification photographs and textbook purchases.
Orientation activities will continue Friday, Aug. 10 with Health and
Professionalism Day. Students will hear from members of the bar
regarding professionalism, legal support networks such as PALS and
BarCARES, Elon’s Student Health and Counseling Center, and the
Greensboro YMCA. In the afternoon, President Leo M. Lambert and Provost
Gerald L. Francis will bring greetings from the Elon University
community.