Students interested in studying law might have their own fraternity if the efforts of one of their own pay off.
Vanessa Madrazo, an interdisciplinary studies in social science senior, is heading up the charge to reactivate the MSU chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, a coed pre-law fraternity which has been dormant since 1997.
“This fraternity is for anyone who is interested in attending law school,” Madrazo said. “It’s not written in stone, you don’t have to be going to law school, you just have to have an interest.”
Phi Alpha Delta plans on holding an informational meeting for all interested students from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m Oct. 5 in the McDonel Hall Kiva.
After the meeting, fraternity organizers have to turn in a petition to the Department of Student Life to become a registered student organization.
The fraternity dates back to 1902. It was founded for the purpose of promoting professional competency and achievement in the legal profession.
The international fraternity is a professional service organization composed of pre-law students, law students, legal educators, attorneys, judges and government officials.
It was expanded to include pre-law students in 1980.
“The main objective of the pre-law (fraternity) is to help undergraduates make an educated decision about whether to attend law school,” Madrazo said.
Natalie Gonder, a Spanish and journalism sophomore who plans on attending law school, is excited about reactivating Phi Alpha Delta.
“I want to join mainly because I need to network before I go to law school,” Gonder said. “I want to be a part of something with other people who are interested in law as a career, to prepare me for the job market.”
Phi Alpha Delta is the world’s largest law fraternity with almost 200 pre-law chapters, 179 law chapters, and 94 alumni chapters in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Angelina Pudvay, an international relations and social relations sophomore, said Phi Alpha Delta could be a great source for information.
“I think it’s a really interesting idea. Right now I haven’t found any programs directed toward pre-law (students) or a source to find information about being pre-law,” Pudvay said. “It would be a great resource for people who might be attending law school to prepare for the future.”
Phi Alpha Delta is looking for students from all classes and majors, Madrazo said.
“Many pre-law fraternities fall flat on their faces because seniors start it and after they graduate there is no one left to continue the tradition,” Madrazo said.
“If we are to survive we will need a lot of diversity and depth,” she said. “We welcome anyone who wants to get involved.”
