I am pleased to advise you that Thursday, May 25, the Chester Bedell Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International at FCSL was officially chartered. Thirty FCSL students participated in the candle-light ceremony at which the Chapter was chartered and they were inducted as the first new members for the Chapter. The ceremony for both charter and induction has been in continuous use since the founding of the organization in 1902. Bedell Chapter is the 180th chapter of the fraternity. There are chapters in law schools throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. It is the second largest professional organization in the world (second to the ABA) with over 200,000 members. Members of the organization include present and former US Supreme Court Justices, Attorneys General of the US and of the States, Presidents of the US, Governors and bar leaders. Chester Bedell after whom the Chapter was named was such a Bar Leader. He was named lawyer of the year in 1977 by the American Bar Association. He was a former City Council member and was known as a lawyer's lawyer.

The Charter members of the Chapter will have their names listed on the Charter plaque which the Chapter Officers will receive at the Biennial Convention in Miami in August. That plaque will serve as a permanent notice as long as FCSL exists of the establishment of this chapter and the founding members. The fraternity is dedicated to high standards of ethics and professionalism and service. It was one of the earliest organizations to establish a juvenile justice program in the U.S.

Melissa Black was inducted as the first Justice for the organization and I will serve as faculty advisory and alumni representative. I hope you will join me in welcoming the newest chapter of this organization to our campus.

Bill Weston