This week was our Orientation for the Class of 2009. It has been a fun week full of information, free food, and fun events! It is a bittersweet time for me because it is when I officially "pass the torch" and turn over the class to the Dean of Students office. The actual files have been delivered to the Registrar's office (your application file actually becomes your student file when you matriculate).
It has been a terrific week. The first day was full of welcomes from everyone at the Law School. Dean Levmore gave an inspirational talk, reminding the Class of 2009 that their law school education should go on for 50 years. In the afternoon, the Bigelow sections competed in a trivia contest -- which Section D won by one point. In the evening we took a boat cruise down the Chicago River, which was a beautiful way to showcase the city. I am told that a bunch of the students went out on the town to some local establishments.
Yesterday, Professor Strauss gave a talk about academic pursuits and there was an introduction to case briefing. Lunch was "Our Taste of Chicago" which represented the wonderful cuisine you can get in Chicago. There was Greek food, German food, hot dogs, cheesecake and Garrett's popcorn. Throughout the day there were tours of the Law School and an information fair. In the evening, there was an outing to the Second City comedy show. I am sure there were a lot of laughs.
Today, there is more practical information, including information about student loans, health service and parking. Later in the afternoon there is a walking tour of Hyde Park. Tonight is our Entering Students Dinner which is one of my favorite parts of Orientation week. It is in our Green Lounge for all the new students. This is a nice way to cap off the week. Professor Bernard Harcourt will be giving the remarks which I am sure will be inspiring.
Tomorrow is our community service event. Professor Randolph Stone will be taking about our clinics and other pro bono work. The day will be spent helping a variety of community organizations.
The week has been a lot of fun. It is great to put faces with the files. I look forward to getting to know the Class of 2009 and watch them grow during the next three years. It will be exciting to see where their legal education takes them. But now I am off to recruit the Class of 2010!!!
