For Constitution Day on September 16, Presbyterian College invited Chief Judge James Lockemy of the South Carolina Court of Appeals to come speak to the students. The South Carolina Court of Appeals is the second highest court in the state. Judge Lockemy was gracious enough to have brunch with some students and talk to them about the importance of getting a good education and being productive members of society before his Constitution Day talk in Jacobs Hall. At the brunch, Judge Lockemy shared some insight into what the world needs from its people.

To start off his talk, Judge Lockemy held up his iPad. He compared it to the times when he had to have a large briefcase that was stuffed to the brim with papers pertaining to his different cases. Now, with the advance of technology, he has access to thousands of pages at his fingertips, and there is no need for a large briefcase. However, Judge Lockemy pointed out one important factor that cannot be found within an iPad: character. He maintained that character is one of the most important factors in life. It does not matter the circumstances; it is important to do the right thing at all times.

A surprising fact that Judge Lockemy pointed out is that not many of the people who make up the legislature are lawyers. Most are just politicians who want to make a difference in their communities. In addition, he pointed out that the judges do not have the ultimate power, but that it is the citizens who make up the juries who do. He pointed this out to remind everyone that the citizens matter so much in the court of law. Lastly, Judge Lockemy left the students with one final thought: If you decide to go to law school, make sure that you are more than someone with a law degree. If you go to law school, make sure that you are an attorney who works hard to make a difference in the community and someone who uses skill for the better of the society around them.