September 27, 2011

Media Advisory -- Law School Induction Ceremony

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier will preside over the induction ceremony later this week for first-year law students in the Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Reporters, photographers, and camera crews are welcome to cover the event.  The ceremony for 118 members of the Class of 2014 is Friday, Sept. 30, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building auditorium.  Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Rita Cheng will also attend the ceremony.

This is the law school’s 11th annual ceremony.  It begins with a reception at 4 p.m., with the ceremony starting at 5 p.m.  There will also be a live video feed in the law school’s formal lounge.

As a part of the ceremony, students participate in drafting their declaration of professionalism, and will recite the class “Statement of Professional Commitment.”

The Class of 2014 includes students representing 45 undergraduate colleges and universities, and come from 14 states and one foreign country, said Elizabeth O’Neil, director of Alumni Affairs and Annual Giving for the law school.

In addition to Karmeier and Cheng, Jayne R. Reardon, executive director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism will also participate in the ceremony.  The commission develops and coordinates programs “to help foster increased civility, professionalism and inclusiveness among the lawyers and judges in the state,” according to its website.

“The oath is an important part of these students' transition into the legal profession,” Dean Cynthia L. Fountaine said.  “SIU School of Law was the first law school in Illinois to create a program like this, and it provides a meaningful opportunity for students to consider their professional responsibilities and affirm those responsibilities by taking the oath they have drafted. I am very proud of our students.  I am grateful to Justice Karmeier, Ms. Reardon, and Chancellor Cheng for participating in this special ceremony.”

Karmeier was elected to the state’s highest court in 2004, and is a former state’s attorney in Washington County.  He served as resident circuit judge in the Judicial Circuit from 1986 to 2004.  Karmeier earned his bachelor’s degree in 1962 and his law degree, in 1964, both from the University of Illinois.