SU College of Law welcomes Class of 2013

The Syracuse University College of Law will welcome its 114^th first-year law class on Aug. 16 as 255 students arrive for a weeklong orientation program. The activities include a formal convocation with Melanie Gray L’81, a member of SU’s Board of Trustees and executive committee member of the College of Law Board of Advisors; and College of Law Dean Hannah R. Arterian. Orientation session topics include faculty panel discussions, sessions on professionalism and building professional networks, managing finances and interdisciplinary study, as well as small group meetings with 25 alumni who will return to campus. A new session for family members (parents, partners and other family members) will also be included in this year’s program.

As part of orientation on Friday, Aug. 20, the College of Law’s Office of Student Life partnered law students with the City of Syracuse and local nonprofit organizations to complete a community service project. Law students were separated into groups and sent to a local farm, Ten Tons of Love, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross to perform volunteer projects and engage with the Syracuse community. 

Entering law students come from 36 states. While the average student age is 24, the range in age spans almost 30 years. Nearly half of the first-year class is female, while students of color account for 18 percent. Close to 54 percent of the students are non-New York state residents representing 152 undergraduate colleges and universities; six percent have advanced degrees.

 “We are excited for the start of a new year and proud to welcome these students to both the SU and College of Law communities,” says Nikki Laubenstein, director of admissions for the College of Law.