The USD Law School has the largest incoming class in the last ten years. Orientation began Monday.
The courtroom in the USD School of Law was packed with 87 new students. The USD law class of 2022 is the largest since 2009.
Law School Dean Neil Fulton told the class that to succeed in Law School, one must possess the traits of excellence, service, and leadership.
"As I speak to you today, I can’t know what your purpose in context for these traits will be," says Fulton. "But I can say with clarity and certainty, however, that these traits are alive within you. That the faculty & staff of the USD School of Law will help you hone and unleash them, and that among you are leaders who will change South Dakota and the world around you in ways we cannot yet imagine but will define who we are for the future.”
Administering the law student oath was South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson.
The Chief Justice also spoke to the students about being leaders in the future and understanding the morality of the law.
"Good moral character is not a pie-in-the-sky concept," says Gilbertson. "It has a legal definition, you can find it in the South Dakota code. It is honesty, candor, trustworthiness, diligence, reliability, observance of fiduciary & financial responsibilities, and respect for the rights of others in the judicial process.”
The incoming class scored strongly on the Law School Admissions Test, scoring one point higher in both percentiles than the previous class at 152 and 154.
The new class orientation continues over the next two days with classes beginning on Friday, August 19th.