As part of new student orientation, Widener Law welcomed the new class of first-year law students this past week with Welcome to the Profession ceremonies in Harrisburg on Tuesday, August 12th and Delaware on Wednesday, August 13th. The evening ceremonies followed new student registration and introduced the students to law school.Dean Linda Ammons opened the ceremonies, encouraging the students in her opening remarks to “Remember why you came to law school.  On some days you may question your decision to enter this profession. Law school is hard.  It is supposed to be.  However, there are people all around this campus who are wishing you well, and assisting in making your dream come true.” She encouraged the students to be professional and work hard, and she reminded them, “You have crossed over a threshold and, as of today, will be held to a higher standard of ethical behavior because you are going to be a lawyer.  Lawyers protect the rule of law.  We are the champions of the rule of law.  In order to do that, we must respect rules now, in law school.” Dean Ammons closed her remarks by encouraging the students to “Hold on to your dreams.  Law school is the bridge from your aspirations to your realizations.”After her welcoming remarks, Dean Ammons introduced the faculty before giving way to the guest speakers. In Harrisburg, Bret Keisling ’05 offered the Alumni Welcome and 2008-09 Student Bar Association President Kenneth Robinson followed with his Welcome from the Student Bar Association. The Honorable Renée Cohn Jubelirer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offered the Administration of Affirmation and spoke to the assembled students. In Delaware, Steven P. Barsamian, Esq. ’75, Chair of the Alumni Association, gave the Alumni Welcome, and SBA President Matthew A. DeNucci gave the Welcome on Behalf of the Student Bar Association. Andrea L. Rocanelli, Esq., Chief Counsel of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the Supreme Court of Delaware gave remarks on Professionalism and the Honorable Susan C. Del Pesco ’75, a retired Superior Court of Delaware Judge, gave the Administration of Affirmation and offered the students her thoughts.