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Jacksonville

Centennial Honors College

9th Annual Pre-Law Symposium Held February 15

On Monday, February 15, at the University Union Lamoine Room, the Centennial Honors College presented the 9th Annual Pre-Law Symposium.

The first part of the program introduced an expert guest panel that answered audience questions about preparing for law school. Nicole Vilches is Assistant Dean of Admissions at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. Steven D. Rineberg, from Quincy, Illinois, who graduated from Western in 1998 Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in political science, earned his Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University School of Law. He is a member of several bar associations, recipient of prestigious awards, and an award-winning legal writer. Spencer Graham, from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, is a 2008 Cum Laude honors graduate of Western with a B.S. in law enforcement and justice administration and a minor in pre-law. Currently a first-year law student at The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, he was a three-year captain of Western's men's rugby club team, helping the squad win its first Illinois Rugby Union championship and earn its first Midwest playoff appearance in a decade. In his time away from legal studies, Spencer plays with the Chicago Griffins.

The second part of the program was the talk by keynote speaker Nancy Paridy who addressed “The Ultimate Reality Show: A Career in the Law.”  She is Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Government Affairs/Corporate Secretary of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). Sterling Kernek, Professor Emeritus of history and second Director of the University Honors Program, recommended his former student, and the Honors College is very glad that she accepted the invitation.

Paridy earned her L.L.M. in health law at Loyola University of Chicago; her J.D. at the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago – Kent College of Law; and her B.A. in history with high academic honors at Western Illinois in 1980. She was named an Outstanding History Alumna of Western and received the University's Alumni Achievement Award. She oversees and directs all legal matters for the entire system of care, and is responsible for all litigation matters. RIC has been named the No. 1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America by U.S. News & World Report every year since 1991. Previously, she had extensive trial and appellate experience in civil litigation as well as practice in the area of health care law.

The event began with a reception in honor of the guest presenters and was accompanied by the music of the President’s String Quartet. Nancy Paridy gave an expertly-informed, high-energy presentation and, along with the panelists, answered many questions from the audience of students, including many from Phi Alpha Delta who also assisted with the event, along with faculty.

The evening was made possible by the WIU Foundation, McDonough County Bar Association, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of English and Journalism, Department of History, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and the Department of Political Science.  

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