Hi Everyone,

As I sit here and try to figure out where to take this blog, I can’t help thinking about the end and the beginning of my law school career.  A lot has changed.

I came to the University of Tulsa College of Law in the Fall of 2009.  Unlike many of you, I did not have the privilege of considering other law schools to attend.  I would have to go to the law school where my husband was offered a job.  Luckily, after a few years of waiting to move to a city with a law school, my husband was offered a job here in Tulsa.  It was a wonderful feeling to know that I finally was going to go to law school after waiting anxiously for a couple of years for my opportunity to embark on my legal dream. 

Even though I knew I would be attending TU Law, I still came to the school and had a tour and attended a class (the class I sat-in was Professor Spoo’s contracts class).  Wow, I was so impressed with the staff, the facilities, the kindness in the students, and the admissions staff.  I fell in love with the admissions staff–their genuineness and actual concern in answering your questions.  I still love them.  That’s why I was delighted when I was asked to be an ambassador.  Now after my three years here, I am so greatful and pleased with my decision to attend law school and particularly the  University of Tulsa College of Law.

As I wrap up this blog, I’m beginning to tear up.  This school has been my second home for three years.  Here, I have made lifetime friendships who have helped me on this journey of self-discovery.  Here, I have learned my true passions.   Here, I have been equipped with the proper tools to pursue my passions and fight the good fight.  Here, I have cried, laughed, learned, eaten, prayed, and loved.  Here, I have been made whole.

So I as finish up my last semester, I’m scared.  I’m scared that I will never feel so secure as I do here in law school.  I’m scared that I won’t be as successful as I have been here in law school.  I’m scared that I will lose sight of my passion to help others.  I’m scared that I will be broken by the pressures of career life and the “outside world.”

However, I remember I was scared when I first started law school.  Iwas scared of not cutting it.  I was scared of not making good grades.  I was scared of not keeping my scholarship.  I was scared of not being able to handle the pressures of law school as a wife, mother, and individual.  Yet, I did.  I did conquer all the things I was scared of.  In fact, I think I may have excelled them with the help of my husband, son, professors, family, and friends.

With that being said, if you are an incoming student or are considering law school, please know that, in the words of one of my heroes Cesar Chavez, “Si se puede” (in the words of Barack Obama, “Yes, you can”).  You can handle and excell at law school.  Just find the reason you are at law school and don’t lose sight of it in the dark days of law school.  If a wife and mother, who is a 1st generation American, whose parents only have a sixth-grade education can do it, then you can as well.  Don’t give up.

In parting, I dedicate my law school career and all its accomplishments to my family–my parents who raised me with the conviction to dream big, my grandparents who showered me with love because that was all they could afford, to my siblings who make me realize how special I am, to my husband who has been my biggest supporter, and to my son who inspires me everyday to enjoy the small and simple things of life like watching Saturday morning cartoons.  You all are my sunshine.

With love, Lorena Rivas Tiemann