The Honorable W. Earl Britt, Senior U.S. District Judge, and
Dean Melissa Essary at the Naturalization Ceremony on May 9, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. – Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law Dean Melissa Essary was the featured speaker at a Naturalization Ceremony in Raleigh on May 9, 2008.

The Dean delivered the keynote speech as an estimated 50 candidates from around the world were sworn in as new citizens of the United States.

“It was truly an honor to be asked to speak at this Naturalization Ceremony,” said Dean Essary. “I attended such a ceremony in Texas years ago, and remember well the swell of patriotism I felt – just as an observer. I so appreciated the opportunity to participate in this momentous event. There was such pride in the room as these fine individuals finally obtained their dream – citizenship in the United States of America.”

The Ceremony took place at 11 a.m. on May 9, 2008 at the Terry Sanford Federal Building and Courthouse, 310 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, NC. The Honorable W. Earl Britt Senior U.S. District Judge presided.

At the Ceremony, Dean Essary was interviewed and was featured in a WUNC radio story, “New Citizens” that aired on May 9. The story can be accessed online at: http://wunc.org/programs/news/archive/NJJ050908.mp3/view.

About Campbell Law School: Since its founding in 1976, the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others and create a more just society. The School has received two prestigious awards from the American Bar Association (ABA), the first for having the nation’s best Trial Advocacy Program, and the second for having the nation’s top Professionalism Program. In 2007, the Law School’s Moot Court Program was ranked 13th nationally among 196 ABA accredited law schools. Campbell Law boasts more than 2,900 alumni, including 1,900 who reside and work in North Carolina as well the best overall bar passage rate in NC for the past 16 years. For more information, please visit www.law.campbell.edu.