Bowen Law Welcomes New Students with Pledge of Professionalism and Pinning Ceremony

The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law officially welcomed its newest Juris Doctor students during the annual Pledge of Professionalism and Pinning Ceremony, held last night in the Friday Courtroom.

Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Rhonda K. Wood, a 1999 Bowen graduate, delivered the keynote address. She encouraged the new students to act with integrity, serve the public, and help promote trust in the justice system throughout their careers.

Justice Wood then led the students in reciting the Pledge of Professionalism, a shared commitment to ethical conduct and personal responsibility. Afterward, she invited them to wear the Bowen pin as a visible reminder of the values that will guide them through law school and beyond.

Dean Colin Crawford also spoke, reflecting on Bowen’s proud alumni network and the importance of professionalism in legal education and practice. He introduced members of the Bowen faculty and welcomed them as mentors for the journey ahead.

The ceremony marked an important beginning for the newest members of the Bowen community. With hands-on training, close mentorship, and a deep connection to Arkansas’s legal system, Bowen students are preparing to build legal careers that make a difference—in courtrooms, boardrooms, and communities across the state and beyond. A reception followed, hosted by Dean Crawford, offering students and faculty a chance to connect and celebrate the start of the academic year.