Tag: Pre-Law Society

Christopher Combs: A Firsthand Account of the FBI’s Response to 9/11 at the Pentagon

Written by Gabriel Kranz-Danet

LEAP students recently had the opportunity to host former FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs at the Walker Education Center! Several students had attended a similar talk with the World Affairs Council earlier in the semester, and we were all eager to hear from him again.

To start off the evening, we enjoyed a reception complete with delicious food and plenty of excited conversation! During the reception many attendees visited the Sam Houston Memorial Museum’s Annual Photo Contest. Several community members were able to attend, including Ken Holland, Nancy Ormsby, and Sam Houston Memorial Museum‘s own Megan Buro. We were thrilled to have attendance from Caney Creek High School’s Student World Affairs Council Club, whom we have seen at many WAC events!

Drawing on his years in federal law enforcement, Combs offered an inside look at the confusion surrounding the initial response, the challenges investigators faced, and the lasting consequences of that day. His enthusiasm, personable attitude, and remarkable storytelling ability made the presentation especially engaging.

Combs began his FBI career in counterintelligence, primarily working on Russian espionage, before transitioning to a rapid-response counterterrorism task force. At the time of the attacks, he had been with the Bureau for only five years. He described himself as simply “a guy doing the job,” but the events that followed would become some of the defining experiences of his career.

One detail that stood out was how little anyone initially understood about what had happened. Combs recalled that he did not initially believe a commercial aircraft had struck the Pentagon. His first suspicion was a truck bomb. For nearly 15 minutes, investigators struggled to understand what they were facing. Hearing him describe those first moments was a reminder that those responding had no clear picture of what was happening or what might come next.

Combs described a scene that drew thousands of first responders and investigators. A total of 183 people were killed at the Pentagon. Investigators recovered 113 bodies, which Combs defined as a torso or larger, while more than 3,000 human remains were ultimately collected and identified.

Despite the willingness of so many people to help, some volunteers had to be turned away because they lacked the necessary training and were unintentionally hindering operations. Combs emphasized that remaining calm, organized, and focused was essential. Cooperation among local police, fire departments, FEMA, the FBI, and Pentagon personnel made the recovery possible.

He compared the undertaking to the familiar saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” The work could only be accomplished by breaking an overwhelming situation into smaller, manageable tasks. For students interested in law enforcement, this offered a practical lesson in preparation and teamwork.

Combs also discussed challenges investigators encountered beyond the recovery itself. Some individuals attempted to impersonate emergency personnel to gain access to restricted areas, requiring stricter procedures for verifying response teams. Evidence collection also had to happen quickly, as important evidence could be lost amid the destruction. Investigators had to balance urgency with careful investigative procedures.

He also spoke about the media’s coverage of major incidents, explaining that early reporting is often inaccurate. Combs avoids publicly identifying terrorists and mass shooters whenever possible, believing attention should remain on victims and the personnel responding to these events.

Throughout the presentation, Combs emphasized that repetition breeds excellence. Preparation, discipline, and teamwork are essential when circumstances become unpredictable. He also spoke candidly about the demands of federal law enforcement, including frequent travel and time away from home. Following the Pentagon response, he was immediately involved in the anthrax investigation and recalled earning a reputation as “the crisis guy.”

For me, one of the most valuable aspects of the evening was hearing these experiences from someone who had actually lived through them. Combs’s enthusiasm, storytelling ability, and passion for his profession made an already significant subject that much more engaging. His presentation showed that law enforcement requires more than investigative knowledge; it demands adaptability, cooperation, and a willingness to serve others under difficult circumstances. For LEAP students considering careers in public service, hearing that perspective firsthand offered a meaningful look at the responsibilities of the profession.

Exploring the Houston (LSAC) Law Forum

Written by Robin Houghton

This past weekend, LEAP students drove into Houston to attend the Law School Admission Council’s Houston Law School Forum. This event brings together representatives from over a hundred law schools across the United States, allowing prospective law students to speak directly with them about the law school experience. Even though some of us are only sophomores, we all arrived eager to learn more about law schools across the country.

The purpose of the law-school fair is to educate pre-law students about law school in general and about specific law schools in particular. For the general aspects of law school, the fairs have workshops on topics such as “paying for law school” or “applying to law school.” Law school representatives are there to answer specifics, with LSAC also suggesting specific questions for each school (see, for example: Law School Forums and Fairs Near Me | LSAC).

With so many schools to choose from, we ended up at the South Texas College of Law, a law school that frequently visits SHSU to present to our Pre-Law Society. We were excited to reconnect with a familiar name and ask more personal questions about their law school and the admissions process.

One of the most memorable moments came from visiting the table for the University of Minnesota Law, a school I have been interested in for a while.

Speaking with Robin Ingli about the university’s concentrations and focus on Human Rights advocacy made my many options in law schools clearer. Their emphasis on public service and practical training was a highlight for me, and I left knowing more about a school I thought I already knew a lot about.

Overall, the experience is much like a career fair, with lots of booths to pick up literature and the like.

Much of the information can be found on the schools’ websites. But, as a sophomore pre-law student, the event allows you to see all the opportunities that exist, which is perhaps more than people come into college realizing.

And, for the upper-classmen among us, the experience allows the opportunity to obtain more specific information and narrow down options. It’s a worthy event.

The PLS Winds Down & Ramps Up

Written by Madison Thurkettle

Winding Down the Spring

the Spring semester wound down, pre-law society members gathered for a laid-back get-together to escape the stressful process of finals. With games, puzzles, and pizza, we reflected on the year that’s gone by, and thought to the future.

To kick off the evening, we enjoyed food, conversation, and plenty of fun. Four activity tables featured exciting games like Hot Topics, Pictionary, Uno, and Imposter, creating the perfect atmosphere for everyone to connect and enjoy the night.

We also did a bit of role-acting in a very light version of mock trial, which may lead to a more robust version in a future semester.

We finished the evening with some photographs in front of celebratory decor.

Ramping up for the Summer and Fall

The end of the semester also prompted some planning for future events, and this included plans for a summer pre-law conference, visits to a law school over the summer, an extensive workshop for law-school applications, and a study course for the LSAT.

Planning has also begun for the fall, with the semester schedule outlined:

  • September 2: Game Night
  • September 16: “How to Get Into Law School,” featuring law-school deans
  • October 21: District Attorney Will Durham
  • November 18: Texas Special Prosecution Unit’s Simulated Voir Dire

The fall will also bring a Mock LSAT, a resume workshop, Moot Court, and a handful of guest speakers, making it one of the more robust semesters in memory, giving members good reasons to stay involved and prepare for the future.

Pre-Law Society hosts Dr. Rhonda Beassie

Written By Madison Thurkettle

Pre-Law Society is back in session for Spring 2026! PLS held its first meeting of the semester and welcomed 133 members, who came back in style. As part of a goal to promote professional development in our students, Pre-Law Society members were encouraged to participate in the “Bearkats in Blazers” initiative—with many students doing so!

Once the meeting officially began, President Olivia Discon introduced our guest speaker for the evening, Dr. Rhonda Beassie, Vice President for Administration at Sam Houston State University. While her current role covers a diverse range of departments such as procurement, human resources, Title IX, and many more–it only begins to shine a light on the breadth of her impressive career. Indeed, she explained that her career was truly a “non-linear” path to where she is today.

Dr. Beassie highlighted her career, emphasizing that paths in law and related fields are rarely linear. She described her journey as “circuitous,” in that she began in real estate, then moved into various levels of the legal—without the initial plan to attend law school.

After working as a legal secretary, Dr. Beassie earned her paralegal degree and worked as a paralegal, a role she described as one of her most fulfilling due to the collaborative nature of litigation. She later returned to school for her undergraduate degree before attending law school.

Once she completed law school, Dr. Beassie worked in legal education and student legal services, then served as General Counsel for the Texas State University System. Her advisory experience led to leadership roles in administration at Sam Houston.

Dr. Beassie emphasized that flexibility and openness to opportunities shaped her career and encouraged students not to feel pressured to follow a traditional path directly from undergraduate studies to law school.

Dr. Beassie encouraged students not to let uncertainty or lack of confidence prevent them from pursuing opportunities in the legal field, reminding members: “You deserve a seat at the table.” She highlighted the importance of initiative, networking, and embracing new challenges, even when they seem intimidating. Many of her own career advancements, she explained, came from accepting opportunities that required extra research, preparation, or learning new subjects.

After her presentation, students asked various questions about Dr. Beassie’s career path and her experiences in legal and leadership roles.

Members asked about:

  • how she decided to pursue law school after initially working in other fields
  • Managing responsibilities such as family while attending law school
  • Whether a paralegal background strengthens a law school application
  • What roles did she find more fulfilling throughout her career

Dr. Beassie said that while law schools focus on GPA and LSAT scores (most important), practical experience, such as paralegal work, can help applicants stand out when qualifications are similar or competitive, and provides valuable preparation for legal work. She also encouraged students to pursue internships and volunteer opportunities, and that even unpaid roles build professional credibility and transferable skills.

Dr. Beassie concluded her presentation at 7:15 PM. President Olivia Discon thanked her and transitioned to the business portion of the meeting…

Treasurer Nataly Elizondo provided a finance update, Secretary Madison Cawthon presented the meeting minutes, and VP of Membership McKenna Nonnenmann and VP of Marketing Jackie Balbuena shared their updates as well. Pre-Law Advisor Jean Loveall also informed members of upcoming changes to the LSAT beginning in August 2026, noting that while the exam’s structure will remain the same, students will be required to take the LSAT in person, with the option to test either on computer or paper.

With a lot of good information and high spirits, the meeting adjourned with excitement for the semester and our futures ahead.

Contracts, Promissory Estoppel, & Chess: Simulated Law Class with Professor Val Ricks

Last week, LEAP students had the opportunity to experience what it’s like to be in a law class led by Professor Val Ricks at South Texas College of Law Houston! From cold calls that made us lean in with anticipation…

…to deep dives into Promissory Estoppel, Professor Ricks left us all with new knowledge and a new way of viewing words.

The mock class started with defining what law is, specifically:

Law: a set of words that, independent of anyone involved in litigation, describes or establishes a standard of conduct which against the actions of those involved in litigation — including the judge — may be measured. 

Why do humans form law? Would law exist if humans didn’t? The simple answer is: Law is just a standard of conduct humans use to govern themselves. Even though we write them down, without us here to interpret those words, they would have no value.

Professor Ricks related law to a game of Chess, each piece on the board is affected by a rule, that, in turn, influences the sequence of the game.

Then it was time for the case: G.D. Holdings, INC. v. H.D.H. Land & Timber, L.P., a civil case revolving the transaction of 300,000 dollars in exchange for nine acres of land IF the land were to be surveyed, cleared, and level. Professor Ricks provided us with the facts of the case and turned it over to us, cold calling on students…

…to give the other aspects of their case briefs.

Learning from each other, we began to apply the rule of Promissory Estoppel, re-defining its three requisites.

As a class we came to understand that Promissory Estoppel is when a promise is made and the person making the promise can reasonably predict that the person agreeing to the promise will rely on that promise in a detrimental way.

In the example case, the promise was the purchase of land by G.D. Holdings from H.D.H. once the land got cleared.

We also learned that even though both parties signed a contract, because one party crossed out a clause in the contract before signing, the law considers that to be two different contracts meaning there wasn’t ever a valid contract.

After we dissected the case and the language used in it, we got to practice our application with a few examples and found that Professor Ricks (to no one’s surprise) did an excellent job at teaching us the concepts so we all properly applied the learned rules to other cases.

We also got the chance to ask Professor Ricks about law school admissions, grading, as well as what to expect in similar law school classes. Of course, we had to get our signature selfie to finish the class, but the learning didn’t stop there as even afterwards, all of us were beaming with a new passion for contract law and hopes for what future knowledge lies ahead.