Social contract
Luke was instantly impressed with the community atmosphere he found at Northwestern. He says his time at NWC taught him the importance of human connection and building relationships. Now, he’s bringing that mindset to law school, where he hopes to leverage the power of the law to improve the lives of those around him.Why did you choose Northwestern College?
I chose Northwestern because of the community-oriented atmosphere I experienced on my first tour. It was noticeably different from other colleges I had toured.
What made you decide to go to law school?
I chose to go to law school primarily for two reasons: The law is a powerful tool capable of doing good, and I enjoy parsing the technicalities of a rule and figuring out how they impact people. I’m still considering what type of law I want to practice. I’ve considered a wide range of options from intellectual property law to public interest law. Whether I am working in a corporate office or as a public defender, I see it as an opportunity to meet a need with integrity and diligence.
How did you grow during your time at Northwestern?
In my first couple of years at Northwestern, I found myself prioritizing tasks—getting things done—over spending time with people. The most tangible representation of this is in my willingness to be interrupted. During my freshman and sophomore years, I had little patience for interruption, but later in my time at NWC I learned the importance of being present with the people around me, even if that means simply taking a moment to talk with them.
How did Northwestern’s political science major prepare you for law school?
In my capstone class, I participated in a team debate. I felt great about my performance; I had found an angle that the other team was unable to fully counter. Yet, the more I reflected on the debate, the more convinced I was that I had missed the point. I came to the debate focused on winning; I left the debate seeking to understand the other side. After the debate was officially over, we had a conversation on the topic. I realized that there are legitimate reasons why the other team chose their position. When the conversation was centered on understanding, rather than convincing, I was most persuaded by the other side. This prepared me for law school by helping me look at the big picture. Rather than taking an argument at first glance, I now know to look beyond the surface to understand why it’s that way—which I’m learning is critical to effective legal analysis.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time at Northwestern?
One thing I cherish from my time at Northwestern is the proximity to so many friends. On a weekly basis, there would be a group of guys who would walk through the dorm to find people to grab a meal, play basketball, or do some other random activity.