Blake Hanson, junior in political science, felt there should be more opportunities for students at Iowa State interested in attending law school, so he started the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law fraternity chapter.

Beginning his sophomore year, Hanson hung up posters, made signs, spoke in classrooms and networked with other fraternities and sororities to make his dream happen. Hanson had to find 20 students who were committed enough to the fraternity to pay a $100 admission fee in order to get a charter.

“The main hurdle was convincing people,” Hanson said.

By the end of fall semester, the minimum of 20 students had not been reached, but Hanson decided to press on.

By March, enough people had been found that wanted to join. 

Phi Alpha Delta’s held its initiation ceremony Sunday, and Hanson, founder and president of Iowa State’s Phi Alpha Delta chapter, has now seen his vision come to fruition.

“I pride myself on the ability to initiate an idea, act on that idea, then persevering until that goal is accomplished,” said Hanson. “[Iowa State is] known for engineering, not really liberal arts and sciences, but I felt we had enough interest on campus to create something sustaining.”

Phi Alpha Delta International Justice Rhonda Hill, former International Justice Derek Hill and Pre-Law Director of Operations Byron Rupp were present at the initiation Sunday.

“Members got a chance to speak with them about what they do. International Justice is the highest elected office in Phi Alpha Delta,” Hanson said.

Phi Alpha Delta is a professional fraternity, rather than a social fraternity.

“A social fraternity has a house and meetings once a week. We have meetings twice a month; its the organization aspect with a fraternity feel,” Hanson said.

Hanson said that instead of joining an honors program or honors housing, students should join Phi Alpha Delta because it caters to the needs of its members.

Phi Alpha Delta was the first law fraternity or legal organization of any kind to establish a pre-law program to assist undergraduate students interested in the law. Phi Alpha Delta was also the first law fraternity to admit women.

Katie Delzell, junior in political science and a member of the professional fraternity, said the fact the chapter is coed helps in that it shows the study of law isn’t only for guys.”

“It brings very different perspectives to very different issues. It’s nice to see both sides of an issue,” Delzell said.

Delzell heard about the fraternity in her political science class last year when Hanson made an announcement.

“I knew I wanted to go to law school. [Hanson] was really good about explaining the benefits of being a member. If you are a member, when you apply to law school, schools will waive the application fee. But I’ve realized it’s a lot more than that,” Delzell said.

Delzell said that the reasons she likes being a member of the chapter is because of the immediate benefits now of preparing for her for law school and meeting people.

“It’s nice to have a support group; it’s nice to have a group of people that share your common interest.”

The requirement to be a member of Phi Alpha Delta is the one-time $100 admission fee.

“You don’t have to want to go to law school or be a lawyer. It fosters an appreciation for the law, whether you want to go to law school or not,” Hanson said.

The first meeting for the chapter will be Tuesday in the Martin C. Jischke Honors Building. Attending the meeting will be a representative from Iowa Legal Aid discussing careers, what ILA does and what it can do for undergraduates. All those who are interested are welcome at the meeting.

Prominent members of Phi Alpha Delta include Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Edward Kennedy, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and U.S. Presidents William Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Harry Truman, James Carter, Jr. and Bill Clinton.