Carolina Law’s Class of 2027 Week of Orientation Starts out Strong with a Day of Service

The University of North Carolina School of Law kicked off the academic year with its annual Service Day, a 15-year tradition embodying the school’s guiding value of “service to the state.” Incoming first-year and transfer students participated in projects across the Triangle area, stepping out of the classroom and into the community.

Students contributed to 13 organizations, engaging in activities such as:

• Sustainable gardening at Carolina Community Garden on campus
• Clearing enclosures at Carolina Tiger Rescue
• Relocating books at Chapel Hill Public Library
• Sorting donations at Durham Rescue Mission
• Assembling luminary kits at Ronald McDonald House

While many ventured off-campus, some students remained at the law school to work on a fair housing pro bono project with Legal Aid of North Carolina. The project was led by Allison Constance ’09, Director of Pro Bono Programs at Legal Aid of North Carolina and former Director of Pro Bono Initiatives at Carolina Law (2016-2023), and Meghan Moran ’19, the current Director of Pro Bono Initiatives.

Kelly Podger Smith ’02, senior associate dean, reflected on the day’s importance. “We have a long tradition of public service at Carolina Law,” she said. “By adding a day of service to our 1L orientation, we welcome a new class with this spirit of service.”

With 190 students participating, the incoming class made an immediate impact across North Carolina while forging valuable connections with classmates and local organizations, setting a powerful tone as they embarked on their Carolina Law education.