The second floor student lounge is busy once again, and a line now forms in the Law Center’s CCs Coffee for the much-needed afternoon cup of java. Students— new and returning —are getting back into the swing of school that began for 1Ls August 17.
The excitement and anticipation of being a first-year law student can be a bit overwhelming. The Law Center’s annual Orientation and Student Organization Fair helps students to get their bearings and feel welcomed in their new home-away-from home for the next three years.
Chancellor Jack Weiss, along with various faculty, staff, and students, welcomed the incoming class to the Law Center. The Class of 2012 is comprised of 235 students.
“We really feel that we hit the Trifecta with this year’s entering class. We have more students, more highly qualified, and more diverse than we have had in recent years. I think the word is out that LSU Law is on a positive, upward trajectory and a fabulous group of students have decided they want to be part of that trend,” said Chancellor Weiss.
Weiss’ remarks, titled How to Miss the Boat in Law School, were designed to get students thinking about the actions and behaviors necessary for the practice of law, and about how to get the most from their law school experience.
“Lots of things from this day forward will turn on values and ideals. These will sustain you over a long life … the law has great power for good or evil,” said Chancellor Weiss.
Lynell Cadray, newly appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and Director of Admissions, is ushering in her first group of students at LSU Law. “This year’s class is larger than in recent years, and it represents 19 states, with 74 percent coming from Louisiana. This is a diverse and talented class, and our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. We have teachers; jazz musicians; law enforcement officers, and a former sheriff; soldiers from the armed forces; pilots; athletes; IT specialists; personal trainers; and chefs, just to give a few examples. They also have a strong commitment to public service, with volunteerism a strong core value of this class. It’s a reflection of their “just do the right thing attitude.””
The class is 59 percent male and 41 percent female, and it represents 77 undergraduate schools. The largest number of enrolled students graduated from LSU, followed by Tulane University and University of Louisiana-Lafayette. The average age of the entering class at LSU Law for the past five years is 24, with the range from 21 years to 56 years of age.
