PARTING WORDS, AN INTRODUCTION, AND AN AFFIRMATIVE DUTY
Posted by: admin in OrganizationsWelcome to December, Valparaiso Law. I sincerely cannot believe it is the end of 2007 already. As many of you know, this is my last writing to you as President of your Student Bar Association. It is bittersweet for me as I believe that there is still much to be done. However, I know you all are in very capable hands. I wanted to highlight some actions that your Student Bar Association is pursuing so that the Our School can continue to move forward. Great things are happening at Our School, some in plain sight and others behind the scenes.
The Student Bar Association has focused much of its time this semester working to attend to the ever growing problem of poor lightening, the lack of safety call boxes and finally the poor condition of our parking lots. Joe Baruffi (the Director of Student Services) and I have submitted a formal request to our Institution for action. Also, sitting in the SBA office is a petition that will be delivered to the leaders of Valparaiso University. I encourage you all to read and sign this petition—perhaps it will further our progress with this issue.
Also, the SBA has worked hard to improve our image and our pride. We expect to continue our very successful Student Advisor Program next year and we anticipate several first year law students to step up and take the lead. You are no longer new here, this is your school: improve it! Furthermore, other initiatives that the Student Bar Association is working towards are a Diversity Group, as well as Student Alumni Council. It is envisioned that in the future, these groups will increase the already robust sense of community within our Halls.
Finally, save your pennies over the Holiday as the penny wars between the classes will begin at shortly after next semester commences. The total monies collected will go to the Indiana Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients program. This SBA is personally committed to not only dedicating its efforts for the betterment of our Law School community but giving back to others as well. There are always great opportunities to help others here at the law school from the VU Day of Caring, to the Book Drive, PDP’s pumpkin carving event for local children, PAD’s adopt a family program, and many more.
Next, I want to introduce you to the new President of your Student Bar Association, Laura Wishart. Laura is a second year law student and is thoroughly committed to continuing the mission of improving Our School for our students. I have worked with Laura the past two years and have witnessed her commitment first hand. Go to her and our other representatives with your concerns and problems just as many of you have approached me in the past. She and the rest of your Student Bar Association want to help. You can reach Laura at laura.wishart@valpo.edu
Finally, as I will make the transition from a student at Our School to an Alumnus, I will leave you with some final thoughts. Administration and Staff: thank you for your ever present commitment to improve Our School. Your dedication to progress is inspirational. Please continue to listen to the ways students believe this school can improve. Faculty: thank you for your open doors, minds, and hearts. Thank you for your devotion to our education and demanding the very best from us every day in class. You all are to be extremely commended for dedicating your life to educating others. Lastly, fellow colleagues: we all have an affirmative duty placed upon us the day we enter as first year law students at the Valparaiso University School of Law. I am not discussing the commitment we make to ourselves to be the best student we can be. Rather, this obligation is to commit a part of our journey into and out of here to improving Our School. Take Pride not only in yourself, but also this school—Our School. Pride stands for Personal Responsibility In Daily Excellence.In my assessment, the Valparaiso University School of Law will be much different in the future. The question is how it will be different. Sure, we could all forget about Valparaiso Law when we leave here and yes, it would probably be OK. However, OK is not and should not be good enough. We can improve Our School more, plans are coming in place to really move forward. Will you be a part of this progress? You each are an integral part. Ask how you can help, volunteer, respond, Act! Please join in our endeavor to improve Our School, not only while you are a student here, but also as a proud graduate.
In closing, thank you, Valparaiso University School of Law, for the wonderful memories, the life long friendships I have made, and, in my estimation, one of the best legal educations in America. It was an honor and privilege to serve you.Best Regards, God Bless, and Happy Holidays.
J. Sebastian Smelko
President, Student Bar Association
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