Robertson Hall looks a little different

Over the past eight weeks Robertson Hall has come alive with the sound of "rollie bags" clacking across its marble floor, the smell of coffee wafting through the foyer as COGS' (Council of Graduate Students) Law senators provided our students with a mid-morning snack, and the sight of students ascending and descending the staircase (some more frantically than others) in pursuit of their next class.

But last week was Fall Break here at Regent, leaving Robertson Hall - some may say eerily, others peacefully - quiet. Such times of quiet give those of us who stay behind the chance to consider the success of all of the activity that passes through this beautiful foyer to the classrooms and offices beyond its columns, rails, and walls.

Well, it was during this week of relative inactivity and quiet that we received a piece of much anticipated news when we learned of our record high Virginia State Bar passage rate for the July 2010 exam. 85.7% of our first-time takers passed, placing us among the top three schools in the state. Truly God has honored our dedication to His school.

All of a sudden Robertson Hall just looks a little different, and not simply because Fall Break is now over.


By Molly Eccles

Honor to Students Who Serve

I am privileged to learn the law surrounded by amazing people. I am so very proud to be associated with Regent students who are driven and sure of their goal, but moreover students who are aware of those around them who are in need. My classmates sharpen me to be full of faith and an excellent advocate.

The students pictured here are part of Regent's pro-bono Civil Litigation Clinic and have all successfully defended their clients this semester. One of the students, Melissa Hudgins, tells a compelling story about the clinic's impact on her life.

But I wanted to take a moment to give each of these students a shout out for the work they do to impact the lives of others.

I see these students quietly slip into the clinic office at all hours of the day and night. I know there are multiple phone calls to be made, request upon request for documents, and paper trails to unwind. And moreover, the work takes place during a busy school semester while personal illness, family concerns, other classes, and job-hunting compete for the student's time.

From getting food-stamps to being compensated for wrongful discharge, the clients that walked through the door of the clinic this semeseter are better off for what these students did for them. That makes our school more than just an hollow institution where academic thoughts bounce from wall to wall. We are an agent for change -- and that's so cool.

Brad, Kristen, Melissa, Jared, Carling (and Shannon, who is not pictured), you are successful advocates and selfless leaders who make Regent a better place to learn and our community a place where justice can be served. Thank You!

On your mark, get set...

...go! Runners and walkers start the Walk Me Home 5K on Saturday. This event was the culmination of a week of events planned to raise awareness of the huge need for adoptive families for the 500,000 children in foster care throughout the nation.

Walk Me Home and other events during the week raised nearly $4,000 for the Up Center, a local agency that trains foster parents, cares for foster children, and excites people about adoption.

Thanks to Tracy Hasse, a 1L and Walk volunteer, for this great picture.

Walk Me Home

A Phi Alpha Delta member spends some time in Robertson Hall telling people about an exciting event coming up next week.

Walk Me Home 5K run/walk is the culmination of Focus on the Children, a week of events at Regent celebrating National Adoption Month.

All proceeds from the walk will provide training for foster parents and increase awareness of the 1800 children in Virginia that are waiting to be adopted.

For more information visit www.regent.edu/walkmehome and www.regent.edu/focusonthechildren.

Get Involved!

There are so many ways for a law student to be involved academically and socially at Regent.

Today in Robertson Hall, students have the chance to learn about these opportunities in one stop - grab some goodies, catch up with classmates, and find out about all the law organizations on campus.

Public Advocacy at Regent

Highlighting the impact Regent Law students make over the summer months, a student holds a sign during the annual Public Interest Legal Advocates of Regent (PILAR) Auction last weekend.

The auction raises money to support PILAR members who actively pursue unpaid public interest internships over the summer. Many students work with clients who have been abused or neglected; some work with illiterate clients; others work for clients who just cannot afford advocacy. This year, the auction raised nearly $4300 for this cause.

Ducks for Bucks

The Black Law Student Association sponsored a fundraiser recently for breast cancer research. Selling rubber ducks and other pink trinkets for a dollar, they were able to make a sizeable donation to the cause.