The Big 300: 300th chapter of pre-law fraternity finds form at WU, state senator drops by to offer advice, give accolades

By Jonathan McFadden
mcfaddenj@mytjnow.com

Newly-inducted members of Phi Alpha Delta pose with S.C. Sen. Wes Hayes after the fraternity’s official chartering and membership induction. Hayes, who himself was a member of Phi Alpha Delta while in law school, represents Rock Hill in the state Senate. Photo courtesy of Peter & Charity SkidmoreOver two-dozen Winthrop business, political science, sociology and pre-law students can now add membership in the 300th pre-law chapter of Phi Alpha Delta to their résumés. 

After almost a year of recruiting members, filling out application forms and paying fees, students seeking membership with the chapter saw their labor bear fruit last Friday when they were inducted as official members of the business fraternity.

Peter Skidmore announced that the international executive board of Phi Alpha Delta unanimously agreed to charter the burgeoning Winthrop group as the 300th official chapter in the organization. 

With right hands uplifted, students swore an oath to uphold and maintain the ethical standards of the law profession.

They then circled the room in a procession, signing their names on a membership roster, shaking hands with their officers and receiving their certificates and pins.

Also along for the ride was S.C. Sen. Wes Hayes (R-Rock Hill), who, after being contacted by one of the fraternity’s members, put aside his duties in Columbia and made the trip to Winthrop to help swear in the organization’s four officers: Peter Skidmore (president), Jeremy Whitesell (vide president), Deandre Robinson (secretary) and Tevin Brown (treasurer). 

Brad Tripp, professor of sociology, was also inducted as an honorary member.

“Without you, we wouldn’t be here today,” Skidmore told him.

After congratulating members on fulfilling all the application and financial requirements that solidified their membership in the organization, Skidmore relayed what expectations they were soon to face.

“With your help, our chapter can remain a real, living force,” he said.

After his inauguration as president, Skidmore lauded praises on his wife, Charity, and described her as a “blessing,” who he said stood by his side through all the late-night conversations he had with Whitesell, Robinson and Brown and, on Friday, volunteered as his photographer.

(From left) Deandre Robinson, Tevin Brown, Jeremy Whitesell and Peter Skidmore are inducted by Brad Tripp and Sen. Wes Hayes (far right) during Phi Alpha Delta’s official chartering ceremony. Photo courtesy of Peter & Charity Skidmore.The organization didn’t just start off the bat with 30 members, a coat of arms and a pledge. Instead, it started with Skidmore and Whitesell, a Winthrop business administration alum who sojourned back to campus to take a position as the fraternity’s vice president.

About a year ago, both Skidmore and Whitesell expressed their desire to go to law school, and they’re longing for something to help them get there.

So, they reached out to the international executive board of Phi Alpha Delta and began the process of cultivating a chartered organization. 

Six months ago, the organization had about five dedicated members in its ranks.

Friday, it multiplied by more than five.

Alongside Robinson, Brown and several other students, members hit the ground running and collaborated to make their hopes a possibility.

It paid off.

“We’re holding high standards,” Skidmore said. “Our goal is to be THE business fraternity at Winthrop.”

Ask Sen. Hayes and he’d probably say they’re off to a good start.

“You’re part of a great legal fraternity,” he told the room of inductees. “It looks like you have a great thing ahead of you.”

Nearly 30 years ago, Hayes joined Phi Alpha Delta while in law school.

He’s kept his membership current over the years, he said. 

Friday, he said he witnessed the organization grow and strengthen.

“This is exciting for Winthrop and these students,” Hayes said after the ceremony. “I don’t think our class was this big.”

Hayes told students that if they’re pursuing a law profession for the money, they’ll probably be “disappointed.” 

“Lawyers are held in the highest esteem,” Hayes said.

Not because they make a lot of money, he said, but because they place the client first.

Service shouldn’t be a problem for the organization, which Skidmore said would try to gather food products for the homeless during the Thanksgiving season and teach students what and what not to wear to a job interview.

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International’s pre-law program was first established in 1980 after many decades of independence as a singular law fraternity. 

The fraternity is open to anyone, even those who don’t plan to pursue a career in law, and doesn’t have a GPA requirement as of yet.

Anyone interested in joining the group can contact Peter Skidmore at skidmorec2@mailbox.winthrop.edu.