Six Hawks Walk into a Bar (Exam)…

A history major at Huntingdon, Ian Meadows gained quick confidence once he arrived at law school. “I was well-prepared heading into day one of law school,” says Ian. “While it isn’t easy, Huntingdon’s curriculum and faculty made me ready to step into a heavy course load filled with new concepts. Just as important, the relationships I made in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the men’s soccer team prepared me for meeting the challenges of leadership and personal development.”

Mary Cam Raybon, a communication studies and English major at Huntingdon, concurs. “Huntingdon prepared me for law school by having small class sizes where participation and engagement in class discussions were critically important. In law school, students must always be prepared to engage in discussions, think critically, and not be afraid to ask questions when necessary. Huntingdon’s small, discussion-oriented classes were therefore the perfect precursor to law school and gave me the tools I needed to succeed.”

For John Phillips, the method of teaching at Huntingdon was key to preparing him for the challenge. “Law school is unique in the fact that most, if not all, law professors use the Socratic method of teaching,” explains John. “This basically entails professors giving questions instead of answers. One of the more difficult aspects of that teaching style, as it pertains to law school, is [that] when you are called upon, you and the professor engage in an extended (sometimes for the entire class period) one-on-one dialogue about the case or legal concept at hand. This happens in front of everyone else in the class and can be very nerve-wracking and stressful. During my time in the HC political science department, students were regularly tasked with providing in-depth analysis of the reading assignment by presenting to the class your findings and impressions. I found that I was well-prepared to speak at length in front of an entire class, and frankly, not as nervous as those who attended other institutions who have never been required to do such.” John is specializing in criminal law.

One-on-one attention from professors also made the difference for Nolan Clark, a political science and business administration major at Huntingdon. “I had several professors who focused on improving my writing and oral presentation skills, as well as my critical thinking,” says Nolan. “The smaller class sizes helped me feel comfortable engaging in open discussion during class. I had the unique opportunity to be active in several organizations simultaneously, which helped me understand the importance of time management. My advisors and the administration were also extremely helpful in providing advice on schools, applications, and just being supportive of my goals for the future. Overall, I believe Huntingdon College prepared me extremely well for law school, and I don’t think I would have been as well prepared had I gone anywhere else.”  He is an attorney in the litigation practice group of the Montgomery firm Balch & Bingham.

Ian is working with the Powell Law Firm in Gulf Shores, Alabama, a trial law firm that covers a variety of law specializations. He hopes to work toward building a new arm of the firm in entrepreneurship, his passion. “I believe starting your own business is a brave decision that can alter the course of your family’s life for generations to come,” says Ian. “I look forward to building out a section of the firm that is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs get their business started and counseling them throughout the life of their business.”

Encouraging students to pursue lifelong learning opportunities is a pillar of a Huntingdon education—one that guides Wesley Smithart. “I’m thrilled to enter a career where I can be a lifelong learner,” she says. “Litigation allows me to work on different cases and issues every single day, so I’m excited for the challenge.”

Mary Cam has accepted a position working in the mass torts department with the Beasley Allen Law Firm in Montgomery, and says this is just the beginning of her dream. “I feel excited that I can finally carry out Huntingdon’s motto of going forth and applying wisdom in service to others by representing clients and fighting against the many injustices in their society.”