As published by Yahoo
The John Marshall Law School of Chicago this week welcomed the Class of 2019. The class of 255 entering students is its most diverse, with nearly half of the students identifying as a minority. More than 60 percent of the full-time entering students are women.
“Diversity is one of our many strengths,” said Troy Riddle, John Marshall’s chief diversity & inclusion officer. “We are excited to build upon that strength as we train intellectually curious, diverse thinkers to become well-rounded and skillful attorneys who will be prepared to practice in a global and diverse society.”
This year’s entering class reflects John Marshall’s longstanding mission to encourage minority and under-represented students to pursue a career in the law.
Founded in 1899, John Marshall was a pioneer in opening its doors and admitting minorities, women and immigrants. The law school graduated its first female student, Jessie Cook, in 1903; its first African-American student, James Randle, in 1904; and its first Hispanic student, William E. Rodriguez, in 1912. Today, with over 34 percent of the student body at John Marshall composed of minority students, the law school’s student body is one of the most diversified in the nation, according to preLaw magazine.
John Marshall’s community is made up of more than 50 student organizations that represent the diverse interests and pursuits of the student body. These organizations include the Women’s Law Caucus, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Black Law Students Association, Latino Law Students Association and Middle Eastern Law Students Association. Student leaders from many of these organizations comprise the Multicultural Leadership Council, which works to ensure that John Marshall remains at the forefront of diversity and inclusion. Additionally, the Academic Enhancement Program, developed by the Latino Law Students Association and run by the Office of Diversity Affairs, offers students a forum for course review through weekly assessments and practice exams.