School welcomes Phi Alpha Delta

The world's largest law fraternity has a new chapter at SIUC. On Friday evening the University inducted charter members into the 250th chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, an organization who's past members include Johnny Cochran, former President Clinton and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg. Bryon McLeod, a senior from Sesser studying Workforce Education, was the driving force behind bringing the frat to Carbondale, said SIUC Pre-Law Association President Greg Odom.

"Starting a Phi Alpha Delta chapter here at SIU can be traced directly to Bryon McLeod," said Odom, a senior from Marion studying political science. "Bryon has really worked tirelessly to make tonight happen." Odom said two years ago, when he joined the Pre-Law Association, there were about six regular members, and now there are as many as 30. Odom said he can hardly believe the organization has come so far. "I never would have expected this," Odom said.

"If you would have told me two years ago I would be a charter member of the 250th chapter of Phi Alpha Delta pre-law I would have laughed and thought nothing else of it," Odom said in a speech during the charter ceremony. Twenty pre-law students were inducted into the new fraternity. Scott Comparato, the faculty advisor to the Pre-Law Association, said bringing the fraternity to SIUC was entirely student-initiated. "In the five years I've been here this is the best group of students I've worked with," Comparato said. "The Pre-Law Association, this year, has taken leaps and bounds." Phi Alpha Delta is taking some leaps and bounds of its own.

"This is a historic occasion for us," said Phi Alpha Delta Executive Director Frank Patek. "This is the 25th year of our pre-law fraternity and to add the 250th chapter is a milestone for us." Phi Alpha Delta has 245,000 members in chapters across the United States, Mexico and Canada. McLeod said the size of the frat and its prestigious former members attracted him to it. "This is an honor," McLeod said. "I grew up in a small town in Illinois where nothing really happens, and when your name can be mentioned with Johnny Cochran, Bill Clinton and Ruth Bader-Ginsburg, it's an honor." Patek said there are law firms that only hire Phi Alpha Delta alumni.

"They prefer being around their own ranks," Patek said. "Law is one of those professions where it's good to know the person working next to you." Patek said the fraternity aims to serve the students, the University and the community through its programs. The group advises pre-law students, helps build houses for the needy with the Habit for Humanity program and helps graduates build social networks. McLeod spent a lot of time bringing Phi Alpha Delta and its services to Carbondale.

"When you're trying to go to law school you sacrifice a lot anyway, because your grades mean everything," McLeod said. "I'm used to budgeting my time." Not only has McLeod worked to bring the frat to SIUC while going to class, he's also had to make time for his wife and 4-year-old son, Jordan. Jordan isn't as used to it as his dad. "He knows Daddy's gone a lot," McLeod said. "He thinks it's because Daddy wants to be a liar. He can't say lawyer."