Largest Initiation Class to Date for the George Read Chapter

On Saturday, September 10^th, the George Read Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta held its bi-annual initiation ceremony, welcoming to its fraternal family its greatest number of initiates to date.  Eager to start writing a new chapter in their lives as Phi Alpha Delta members, students began filing into the main law building at Widener University School of Law hours before initiation was set to begin.  At six o’clock p.m., Dom Carrera, Phi Alpha Delta’s Marshall, commenced the initiation ceremony by escorting the soon-to-be members into the Vale Courtroom.  With over 60 new initiates, family, friends, distinguished guests, and several current Phi Alpha Delta members, the courtroom was filled nearly to capacity.  George Read’s Executive Board, led by Justice Clint Orem, proceeded to conduct the initiation ceremony in accordance with the formal requirements as prescribed by Phi Alpha Delta’s initiation rituals manual.  The objective of this formal initiation ceremony was to impress upon all those attending the ideals and principles of Phi Alpha Delta.

After the George Read Executive Board members conducted their respective parts of the initiation ceremony and the initiates signed their names into the Official Roll, the floor turned to a Phi Alpha Delta alumni- the Honorable Joseph R. Slights III of the Superior Court of Delaware.  Judge Slights welcomed the new members and shared with them his inspirational story about how he gained motivation to thrive within the legal profession. He referred to a book that he read towards the end of his law school career about Learned Hand, the infamous second circuit judge.  Judge Slights was enthralled with Learned Hand’s dedicated work ethic and passion for the law and Judge Slights became determined to emulate these traits in his legal career.  He urged the new members to find inspiration and embrace the legal profession as he did.

When the formal initiation ceremony adjourned, the current George Read Executive Board took the opportunity to present to Andrew Quietmeyer and James Lewis their awards given to them by Phi Alpha Delta international.  Andrew Quietmeyer, former Justice of the George Read Chapter, and James Lewis, former Vice Justice of the George Read Chapter, achieved the Alex A. Hochkiss Award and the Outstanding Vice Justice of the Year Award respectively for the 2010-2011 academic school year.  It’s safe to say that the current executive board has some big shoes to fill. 

With such a successful initiation ceremony and great start to the academic school year, the George Read Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta is well on its way to another amazing school year.