<p>First year Widener University Commonwealth Law School student Cassie Semler wants to focus on advocacy, especially prisoner reform. Her husband, Tyler, has a passion for environmental issues. The husband and wife team chose to attend Widener Law Commonwealth after graduating from the University of West Virginia for the same reason &ndash; the school&rsquo;s focus on the common good.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It seemed like the right fit for us,&rdquo; said Cassie at Monday&rsquo;s Welcome to the Profession event, kicking off the 2015-16 academic year.&nbsp; The school welcomed 75 new students from nine different states and Jamaica. They hold degrees from 49 different colleges and universities and range in age from 21 to 40.</p>
<p><img style="float: right;" src="{staticroot}files/resources/large_welcometoprofessioncropped.jpg" alt="Dean Johnson speaking at 2015 Welcome to the Profession event." width="500" height="239" />&ldquo;The word &lsquo;commonwealth&rsquo; in our name was chosen carefully. The name is symbolic of our historical connection with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,&rdquo; Dean Christian Johnson said.&nbsp; &ldquo;The word commonwealth is probably even more important because its historical meaning connotes individuals coming together for the common good of society. At Widener Law Commonwealth, students, faculty, staff, and alumni all come together united in serving the common good of our local community, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Eric Kniskern, director of admissions for the school, said he has a really good feeling about this class. &ldquo;The vibe is extraordinarily positive,&rdquo; Kniskern said. &ldquo;They are all very excited about what&rsquo;s coming.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Alumna Rachel Hadrick &rsquo;13, an associate with the Harrisburg-based law firm of McNees Wallace and Nurick, LLC, welcomed the class and imparted words of wisdom to the eager students. One of the most important suggestions was to take advantage of the opportunities the school has to offer.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I took every opportunity that was presented to me,&rdquo; Hadrick said &ldquo;The more opportunities you take, the more opportunities that will be presented to you in the future.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Hon. Susan E. Schwab, U.S. magistrate judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and a graduate of the first class of the school in 1992, administered the Affirmation of Professionalism to the class, and spoke about her own experiences as a law student at Widener. She pointed out several faculty members in the audience who were her professors as a student.</p>
<p>&ldquo;When you graduate, you will leave this place feeling connected to the people in this room,&rdquo; Judge Schwab said, &ldquo;and you will be better lawyers for having known them.&rdquo;</p>
<h5>Event Photos</h5>
<p><a title="2015/08 Welcome to the Profession" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/widenerlawcommonwealth/albums/72157656668686548" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/20283420608_f69464633d_z.jpg" alt="2015/08 Welcome to the Profession" width="640" height="427" /></a></p>
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