DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — A fraternity in Dauphin County is launching an initiative to set their students up for success.
Phi Alpha Delta at Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Susquehanna Township hosted their grand opening for their professional closet on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The Phi Alpha Delta closet is a donation-based initiative that is being brought to life by two students who saw a need for it on campus.
Students will be able to access professional attire to help kick off their legal careers.
Both members of the fraternity and students say it will be a great resource.
“It feels very fulfilling. It feels wonderful to do it with people who you have grown so close with here at school, as well as knowing that all of us can come together and bring an idea like the room full of clothes,” said Kiara Meager, the treasurer of PAD.
Members of the fraternity say there are all types of pressures that come with law school and some of them are expensive.
“When you come to widener or any law school for that matter, they always tell you [that] you need professional clothing. You need to have an outfit for an interview, for the court system, for any type of event that requires us to go in the other attorneys,” said Benjamin McFadden, the clerk for PAD.
The fraternity says this closet supports their goal of strengthening community ties and fostering student success inside and outside of the classroom.
“When you look nice, you feel nice. So, giving students the ability to have professional wear and go out to those kinds of events will give people the confidence they need to make those lasting connections,” said Nicholas Kahler, the justice at PAD.
Students say they're grateful.
“Just to have that resource on campus is such a reliever, cause a lot of us don’t have the financial means because we’re students. It feels like our school cares about us and wants us to present well to society,” said Lelah Tehmeh, a student at Waldner Law Commonwealth.
PAD is seeking donations of new or gently used business attire to help stock the closet with hopes of offering students a quick rental section in the future.
Until then, they are making a difference one piece of clothing at a time.
People can donate items like shoes, dress shirts, slacks, and ties to help the next generation of legal professionals. Donations can be dropped off at the student organization building on campus or at the Dauphin County Bar Association in Harrisburg between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.