News & Events

Strength in Numbers, Diversity Marks First Year Class at Moritz College

Class of 245 is one of the strongest in nearly a decade

August 16, 2002

 

The incoming first year class of students at the Michael E. Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University is one of the strongest in nearly a decade, according to Kathy Northern, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Law. At 245 strong, it is also one of the largest groups in recent years and has ranked higher on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) than previous entering classes.

Orientation for the new students was held Thursday and Friday, August 15 and 16 at John Deaver Drinko Hall. Classes for all law students at Ohio State begin on Monday, August 19.

Of the 245 students, 51 percent are women and 19 percent are minorities, not including international students. Last year, there were 229, with 48 percent women and 17 percent minorities.

"Strength is said to come in numbers and said to come in diversity," said Associate Dean Northern. "In every sense of the word, both of those phrases are true with regard to this class."

She says the increase in students is a reflection of the confidence the late Michael Moritz had in the college and his belief that the school would grow stronger each year.

Moritz, a 1961 graduate, gave $30 million last summer to the law school. The gift, the largest in the history of The Ohio State University, created a scholarship fund, which offers full tuition and a stipend for 30 Ohio State law students; financed leadership awards to three students each year; and established four endowed faculty chairs. The gift also established the Gregory H. Williams Dean’s Fund for Excellence, named for the college’s former dean.

"Mr. Moritz clearly took his dream for the law school to heart," said Michael Mooney, a Cincinnati native who is a recipient of one of the Moritz scholarships. "Being a part of his effort and what he dreamed for the law school is a great honor."

Melissa Palmisciano, a Pickerington native and also a Moritz Scholar, added, "Mr. Moritz’ generosity has allowed my dream of attending law school to fall into place."

This year, 33 percent are from outside the Ohio, down from last year when 37 percent were not permanent residents of the state. They come from 20 different states and five foreign countries, including Ghana, Korea, People’s Republic of China, and Turkey. The students also represent 112 different undergraduate schools.

LSAT scores for the new students are higher in previous years. The median score on the test was 160, up from last year’s 158. The median grade point average is 3.6.

"The Moritz College has several innovations in place as we welcome this new class with high academic credentials," said Nancy H. Rogers, Dean and Michael E. Moritz Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution. A new law journal, the Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law, begins operating in the fall. Next summer, students may participate in classes and internships in Washington, D.C. in addition to the school’s longstanding summer abroad program at Oxford University. Three new faculty member allow students to enjoy an attractive faculty-student ratio and the college has continued to upgrade technological resources in the classrooms.

The Michael E. Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University is Ohio’s flagship law school. More than 650 students attend classes at the school’s John Deaver Drinko Hall located at 55 West 12th Avenue, Columbus. Notable alumni include the Honorable Howard M. Metzenbaum ’41, former Ohio Senator; the Honorable William B. Saxbe ’45, former U.S. Attorney General and Ambassador to India; Ohio Senator George V. Voinovich ’61; Michael E. Moritz ’61, attorney, businessman, and philanthropist; Ohio Congressman David L. Hobson ’63; the Honorable Thomas J. Moyer ’64, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice; the Honorable Paul E. Pfeifer ’66, Ohio Supreme Court Justice; Ohio Congressman Michael G. Oxley ’69; Erin Moriarty ’77, CBS News/48 Hours reporter; and Evelyn Lundberg Stratton ’78, Ohio Supreme Court Justice.

News Archives

2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001