A FEW MINUTES WITH ... Norman Francis | GeneralSports | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

A FEW MINUTES WITH ... Norman Francis | GeneralSports | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

A FEW MINUTES WITH ... Walter Kimbrough | GeneralSports | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

A FEW MINUTES WITH ... Walter Kimbrough | GeneralSports | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Setting the Bar: Louisiana State Bar Association Pre-Law Conference

On Saturday, about 14 Dillard students attended "Setting the Bar: Louisiana State Bar Association Pre-Law Conference." It was sponsored by the Black Law Student Associations of Loyola and Tulane, and the Louisiana Bar Association's Committee on Diversity.

We had the largest group, and were about a third of all attendees. This was a new initiative as we are building our pre-law program. Our pre-law advisor is Adria Kimbrough (no relation-- just kidding!) who is an attorney with a local firm and member of the bar in 4 states. I argue that we have the most credentialed pre-law advisor in the state, and it is paying dividends for our students. The major difference is that she is providing intrusive advising- e-mails, calls and texts to pre-law students to ensure they get the information they need to be successful.

She's also planning " A Day in the Life of a Lawyer" at one of the largest firms in town, Jones Walker, as well as an LSAT boot camp. We also have a high powered advisory committee, which includes the Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.

If you know of a high school student interested in law, Dillard University has created the most innovative pre-law program targeting students of color.

The Prez

The Griot.com 100

So I found out a few weeks ago I was named to the 2013 The Griot.com 100 list of African Americans making history today. My friend Sidmel Estes-Sumpter in Atlanta nominated me (thank you!).

These lists are cool, especially when for the next year I can brag that I am on a list with these cool people:

Kerry Washington
Judy Smith (the real Olivia Pope)
RGIII
Gabrielle Douglas
Ambassador Susan Rice
Arian Foster
Brittney Griner
Terrence J
Kendrick Lamar
Will Packer
RZA
Swizz Beatz
Ben Crump
DJ Beverly Bond
Michael Strahan
Wendy Williams
Mellody Hobson
Randall Pinkett

GREAT company to be in!

The Prez

4th Circuit Court of Appeals

We submitted part of this in a recent press release: "The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal will hold court at Dillard University to hear oral arguments on five pending cases tomorrow. The session is part of an ongoing effort to educate students and the public about the work of the appellate court. The session will convene at 10 a.m. in the Justice Revius O. Ortique Jr. Mock Trial Center. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal Judges Dennis Bagneris, Terri Love and Madeleine Landrieu will hear the oral arguments."

This was first done in 2011 and now brought back as we are ramping up our pre law program.

 

To ensure that this is a meaningful experience, Judge Terri Love met with a group of students last week to preview tomorrow's activities. Judge Love is part of our pre-law advisory group and coordinated the hearings on campus.

 



The students are excited about the upcoming event, and we will also have local high school students participate.

The Prez

Bleu Devil Classic

As a part of our rivalry with Xavier University, we held our Bleu Devil Classic. XU got us twice, so we owe them in a big way. Hopefully we can steal a couple over at their new home this month.

 

The games are important, but it was great to receive scholarship support as well. The Hobley family has done a great job and we're very appreciative of their support.

The Prez