October 03, 2012

Law school induction ceremony is Friday

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier will preside over the induction ceremony 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 112 members of the Class of 2015 is Friday, Oct. 5, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building auditorium.

This is the law school’s 12th annual ceremony.  It begins with a reception at 5 p.m., with the ceremony starting at 6 p.m.  There will also be a live video feed in the law school’s courtroom.

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

In addition to Karmeier, Michelle Silverthorn, education associate for the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, will also participate in the ceremony.  The commission develops and coordinates programs “to promote a culture of civility and inclusion, in which Illinois lawyers and judges embody the ideals of the legal profession in service to the administration of justice in our democratic society,” according to its website.

“The oath is an important part of our 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 and affirm their responsibilities as a professional.  I am very proud of our students.  I am grateful to Justice Karmeier and Michelle Silverthorn for traveling to Carbondale to be a part of this ceremony.  I am also grateful to the faculty and members of the bench and bar who took the time to help our students with the oath drafting process.”