Foundations Week Welcomes New Class to MSU Law
September 8, 2023
Foundations Week kicked off Michigan State University College of Law’s new school year for first year students. From August 15-18, incoming students spent a week on campus getting introduced to faculty, staff, and each other, while also beginning their law studies. The annual week-long event is designed to help prepare first-year students for a rigorous and multifaceted legal education experience.
Day one began with opening words by Dean Linda Sheryl Greene. She welcomed the new law students and shared words of wisdom about the exciting journey they were embarking on. The robust agenda planned for each day featured the law college and its vast resources, giving first-year students a thorough introduction to the opportunities that the next three years will present.
Throughout the week, students attended Foundations of Law classes and learned some basics of legal writing from MSU Law professors. There were a panel discussion featuring student organizations and another with legal professionals discussing “Professionalism in Action.” There was even a movie night along with a discussion afterwards.
“Every class and event held during the week welcomed students to the law school, the Spartan community, and the legal profession,” Audra Foster, Director of Pipeline Programming, Outreach, and Education said. “Incoming law students finished Foundations Week with shared experiences and a road map to achieve academic success, develop their professional identity, and initiate a network within the legal profession. The class is an amazing group of people who are eager to learn and passionate about service to their communities.”
On the last day of the week, students immersed themselves in the Greater Lansing legal community for Access to Justice Day. Students engaged with court and community legal service providers to learn how effectively the legal system achieves access to justice.
In setting the stage for students to understand the significance of Access to Justice, Dean Greene opened the day by summarizing what she hoped were the experiences they had gained so far. “Throughout the week, I hope you have witnessed MSU College of Law’s quality of legal education; promotion of competent, ethical conduct and professionalism; and our commitment to eliminating bias and enhancing diversity in the legal profession. Most importantly, I hope your experiences this week have confirmed for you that you chose the best college to support you every step of the way through law school and throughout your professional career.”
First-year student Kate Held was so impressed with her experiences throughout the week that she reached out to MSU Law staff to express her appreciation for the work of those who made Foundations Week happen. She said, “I enjoyed the immediate introduction to the staff, faculty, and advisors. They kept reiterating that their doors are always open and to use them as a resource. I’ve had so many favorite things throughout the week and just meeting the people I’ll be spending the next three years with was great.
“Your hard work made such amazing experiences for my class and me. Several of my friends are also going into their 1L year and they did not get to explore their law community outside of their law school. It is awesome that MSU is in Michigan's State Capitol and it's awesome that MSU has people like you! I am incredibly grateful. Looking forward to the year!”