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The Law News celebrates 40 years in print
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including Justices Joseph Lamar 1878L and Lewis his academic year marks the 40th anPowell ’29, ’31L, and how the Law School began, niversary of The Law News, and the along with more recent milestones including the editorial board is extremely excited. We history and future of W&L’s Third-Year Program. have already implemented quite a few significant We are also planning the history section changes in the newspaper, from the format and of this special edition to look just like an 1850s the design scheme to the content and editing newspaper. We have already asked many alumni process. We have made it a priority to fully cover to write articles and have received a fantastic important events on campus and to ensure that response. If you have any ideas for the Legacy Edimembers of the W&L Law community, includHoward M. Wellons ’14L, tion and would like to contribute to our efforts, ing alumni, are spotlighted. This year, we are editor in chief please let us know. hoping to reinvigorate The Law News and reaf We hope you will take the time to read firm its necessary role at the School of Law. through our two most recent editions, both of which are A large part of what we hope to accomplish is to reconnow online, and that you will continue to support W&L Law nect with our valued Law School alumni. In the ’80s and in all its efforts. Thank you for everything you do to help ’90s, alumni would write letters to the editor concerning the W&L Law be a leader in legal education. previous issue. We would love to revive this tradition. The —Howard M. Wellons ’14L, editor in chief Law News would love to get your thoughts as to how we can improve the publication, what you liked (or hated) and Write to us at: The Law News, where you think we should go from here. Washington and Lee University School of Law, In addition, we are planning a special edition due out Sydney Lewis Hall, Law News Office, in February. The Legacy Edition will commemorate the 40th Lexington, VA 24450, wellons.h@law.wlu.edu. anniversary of The Law News by diving into the history of the School. Planned articles include the early history of Syd Visit law.wlu.edu/lawnews to read the current issue. ney Lewis Hall, biographical sketches of prominent alumni,
Admissions Office Launches Pilot Program Shawn McShay has launched a pilot program that incorporates
an optional interview with an alum as part of the admissions process for prospective students. He joined W&L as assistant dean for admissions from Hofstra University Law School, where he was senior director of enrollment management. “Dean Demleitner and I had discussed this idea while we were both at Hofstra,” said McShay. “With a school that size, however, interviewing prospective students wasn’t practical. But at W&L—with its smaller size and strong law alumni network—we felt it was a much more feasible project.” He noted that while strong academic credentials are critical for a student’s success at W&L, other factors, such as life experiences, provide a more holistic profile. “A one-on-one interview can give us important feedback on whether a
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student might be a good match for W&L,” he explained. “It’s another useful perspective in our overall evaluation process.” The W&L Admissions Office receives thousands of applications a year, so McShay is initially implementing the interview process through a pilot program, which runs January-April 2013. For this first round, the optional interview is offered only to admitted students. It will expand the following admissions cycle to all prospective students. Since W&L attracts students from around the U.S., the main focus for McShay has been to line up law alumni to represent all geographical regions. “Obviously we don’t have the staff to interview all prospective students, but we have many willing alumni, and I’ve been able to line up key contacts in every major city.
Shawn McShay (right) meets law students during orientation.
“Alumni volunteers are strong advocates for W&L,” added McShay. “In this role they can provide interested students with a wealth of information about the School and that will only help us even more in attracting strong candidates.” To learn more about the program, contact Shawn McShay at (540) 458-8533 or mcshays@wlu.edu.