The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Catholic Law) welcomed the incoming classes of 2026 and 2027, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, hosting a three-day-long orientation program that introduced new students to the key ideas and mentalities that a legal education teaches. The three-day orientation brought together the 2026 day students and 2027 evening students, laying the foundation for these classes to develop their own supportive networks within Catholic Law’s encouraging community. Opening with a breakfast in the student lounge, the Wednesday portion went into full swing, following some words of welcome by Katherine G. Crowley, Associate Dean for Administration & Chief of Staff, and a morning address to the group by Dean Stephen C. Payne, in which he welcomed them to the Catholic Law community.
The first day’s program included numerous informational sessions, beginning with a faculty panel entitled “How to Succeed in Law School: The Faculty Perspective.” Following short introductions, various Catholic Law faculty members expanded their respective areas of expertise, opined on the best ways to act in law school, and answered questions from the incoming students.
A welcome luncheon in the Louise H. Keelty and James Keelty, Jr. Atrium followed before students returned to Byron Auditorium for an afternoon of informational sessions, collectively entitled “The Law School Project.” The first part, delivered by professor Elizabeth Winston, presented students with proven study strategies to aid in their law school success; the second, led by professor Kevin Walsh, more broadly introduced students to the American legal system. Incoming students also received an introduction to The Catholic University of America’s counseling services. Veryl Miles, former Dean of Catholic Law, led Wednesday’s final panel, “Implicit Bias Training for the Legal Profession,” alongside Shani Butts, Assistant Dean for Admissions & Financial Aid.
Following the close of the first day’s sessions, incoming students mingled in the Law School Courtyard for a gelato social hosted jointly by the Student Bar Association (SBA) and the Evening Law Students Association (ELSA).
Thursday provided additional opportunities for both day and evening division students to acquaint themselves with the Catholic Law community and the expectations of law school. Students attended an introductory class taught by Mary Graw Leary, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and were introduced to communication techniques law students can learn from improv comedy, led by improviser and Research Librarian, Kristina Martinez. They also received introductions to financial planning, research services, and career development. The day concluded with Dean Payne offering some closing remarks before each new student took the induction oath, delivered by the Honorable Jennifer M. Anderson ’84, Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Catholic Law’s Orientation 2023 ended on Friday, August 18, with a full day of community service, through which students were able to connect with the members of the Brookland community and demonstrate Catholic Law’s mission of service.