USC Law welcomes Class of 2006

USC Law held its annual Orientation Day last Friday to welcome the 222 members of the Class of 2006. During the all-day event, students heard remarks from several deans, toured the law building, took care of paperwork and attended a luncheon.

Coming from some 100 undergraduate colleges and universities, and 15 different countries on five continents, these first-year students are among the most academically accomplished in school history. They were picked from among more than 7,000 applicants, up from 5,700 last year. Within the class, 118 students have both an LSAT score in the top 10 percent of test-takers nationally and a GPA that placed them in the top quarter of their graduating class.

They’re also a diverse bunch. Fifty percent of the class are women, 35 percent identify themselves as an ethnic minority and a handful are openly gay. They come with a huge range of experiences – as teachers, actors, public servants, consultants, athletes, musicians, artists, entrepreneurs and so on. One student hiked the entire 2,168-mile length of the Appalachian Trail. Another was the executive director of the 2002 All-Star Dodgeball Tournament.

“As you can see, during the admissions process we took special note of your experiences and activities – both the profound and the trivial – because all of your experiences helped to form you as a unique individual, and help suggest the kinds of contributions you will make to our community,” said Associate Dean Bill Hoye during his address to the class.

Dean of Students Lisa Mead urged the new students to “take risks, make a few mistakes, learn from them – but please, don’t be afraid” to make a difference in the lives of fellow students and the broader community.

Among other topics, Law School Dean Matthew Spitzer spoke to students about the role that attorneys play in a free, capitalistic society. “At each step, lawyers make our society better. We have a noble assignment and a great responsibility.”