The ceremony was brief, but powerful. On Thursday, August 20th, the incoming class was formally greeted by the faculty and welcomed to the Temple Law community. Class members received lapel pins to signal their new status as Temple Law students, after which they took the Pledge of Professional Commitment as a class.

The Honorable Susan Gantman, President Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court, offered brief remarks. “You are about to study for a great profession,” she told the class. “Today is the first day of your journey.” Judge Gantman noted that the rule of law, enshrined in the very first line of the Constitution, requires lawyers to “be the front line” in the defense of democracy. She also encouraged the class to make pro bono work a part of their professional practice. “Serve worthwhile organizations,” she remarked. “People need help all over this country… and it is a great country.”

The Temple Law Class of 2018/19 includes 218 students; 181 in the day division and 37 in the evening division. They hail from 22 states, three countries, and 94 undergraduate institutions, and 10% hold graduate degrees.