Caminante no hay camino se hace camino al andar

As we set out on a journey, there is often a sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead. But then there are some of us who value the unknown, who have a vision of how things could be and should be, who are willing to take a risk in order to make something better than what already exists.

For many of us, comfort is found in the familiar and the tried and true. We often find ourselves stuck in patterns and habits that prevent us from exploring new possibilities. But for those of us who are willing to venture into the unknown, there lies an exhilarating sense of possibility.

At the University of California, Irvine School of Law, we knew this feeling all too well. As one of the first groups of students and administrators to embark on a journey to create something from scratch, we were acutely aware of both the excitement and uncertainty that lay ahead.

As I began meeting with potential applicants, my sense of purpose grew clearer. The energy and enthusiasm among those who were interested in joining our inaugural class was palpable, and it echoed the passion and commitment that we all felt about building this new institution.

We didn't have a clear path laid out before us when we started, but we knew that we had to create one. We came from diverse backgrounds and brought with us our own unique experiences, hopes, and dreams for what this law school could become.

In many ways, our journey was similar to that of Antonio Machado's famous poem: 'Caminante no hay camino se hace camino al andar.' The path doesn't exist until we walk it. And so, we set out together, side by side, to forge a new way forward.

Our inaugural class of 60 students may not have had much mapped out ahead of them when they arrived in August 2009, but they were eager to write their own story and shape the future of our institution. As founding administrators and faculty, we too were taking a risk by joining this journey, but it was one that we knew would be transformative for all involved.

In the end, it is not just about the destination, but about the journey itself. It's about the connections we make along the way, the experiences we have, and the memories we create. And so, as we look back on our first year at UC Irvine School of Law, we are proud of what we have accomplished, and excited to see where this journey will take us next.