Baylor Law Welcomed New Class with Back-to-School Barbecue

by Julie Carlson, director of communications, Baylor Law School, (254) 710-6681

Baylor Law School, which prides itself on its rigorous course work, wants new students to know that it also promotes a family atmosphere. To that end, the fall 2008 class as well as returning students, faculty and staff were treated to a Back-to-School Barbecue, hosted by Baylor Law Dean Brad Toben and his wife, Beth, who is a prosecutor with the McLennan County District Attorney.

"The party is a new part of our Orientation Program," said Becky Beck Chollett, assistant dean of admissions. "We wanted to ensure that our entering students had an opportunity to meet their fellow classmates, faculty and upper-quarter students before classes began on Monday, and we also wanted to welcome back our returning students who had been off clerking during the summer quarter. What better way to get the fall quarter started than by enjoying Waco's famous Double R burgers and listening to After Midnight - the most versatile band in all of Central Texas."

The party took place Aug. 21 at Barron's on 5th. It was the final event of orientation, which began Wednesday, Aug. 20.

During orientation, new students attended a number of lectures and small-group discussions with faculty, staff and returning students. They also were welcomed to the State Bar of Texas by State Bar President-Elect Roland Johnson, a Baylor Law Alumnus, and took the Oath of Professionalism, which was administered by Dean Toben.

The Law School's entering fall class is highly credentialed and diverse. Enrolling were 81 students - 45 women and 36 men. Additionally, minority students make up more than a quarter of the class. The students are from such distant states as Hawaii, California and New Jersey and from a wide variety of universities, including Amherst, the University of Notre Dame, Northwestern and the University of California.

Law School classes for all students began Monday, Aug. 25.