Prelaw Society officially underway at Radford University
The Prelaw Society at Radford University, housed under the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS), is official. Radford students, faculty and staff, along with members of the legal community, came together in a celebratory dinner to mark the occasion on Oct. 27.
The Prelaw Society, operating in conjunction with the Prelaw professional fraternity at Radford University, is a vehicle by which students can develop meaningful relationships with mentors from the legal profession.
“The Radford chapter of the Prelaw Society welcomes students from the university’s many disciplines to embrace the intellectual rigor of the study of law,” said Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill.
The Prelaw Society will educate students about the profession of law, support those students who may choose to pursue the study of law after graduation and contribute to the diversity of the membership in the profession.
“Radford students can begin positioning themselves to lead our society, built upon law,” Hemphill said. “At the undergraduate level, our students will sharpen their negotiation and argumentative skills.”
The Prelaw Society at Radford University was made possible by benefactors Joel and Rhonda Collins.
Joel Collins was a benefactor behind the formation of the Prelaw Society at Clemson University in 2003, which has the same goal of supporting students interested in pursuing the study of law.
“I am very thankful to my dear friends Joel and Rhonda Collins for their generous gift to support the establishment of a Prelaw Society at Radford University,” said CHBS Dean Katherine Hawkins. “I have witnessed first-hand the benefits of such a group to support students interested in pursuing the study of law. I am grateful we will have the opportunity to receive those same benefits here at Radford University.”
Curtis J. Martin, II, '92, a successful Atlanta attorney, spoke at the Prelaw Society dinner, encouraging students to follow their passions in the study of law. Martin is a member of the CHBS Advisory Board, including service on the Board's Prelaw Committee.Martin practices at Miller & Martin PLLC, a full-service law firm. Martin also provides pro bono representation through the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation's Domestic Violence Program.
Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill addresses students, faculty, staff and members of the legal community at the Prelaw Society dinner.
Radford University Criminal Justice faculty member Jack Call joined the Radford family in 1985 and now serves as internship coordinator and Prelaw Advisor.
“If it weren’t for Jack Call, there wouldn’t be much of a prelaw program at Radford University,” Hawkins said. “He virtually single-handedly kept the university’s prelaw efforts moving forward.”
Hawkins challenged attendees to better educate students about the role played by those in the legal community in protecting the Constitutional rights of the people.
“Further, we need to encourage and support our qualified students to pursue the study of law themselves such that our legal profession is a true reflection of the population it represents,” Hawkins said.