Buoyed by the arrival of the Class of 2013, the law school community accompanied incoming 1Ls and their families and friends on a cruise aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia on Aug. 1.

The three-hour cruise ferried scores of new students, alums, faculty and staff past historic Delaware River venues like the Shot Tower, Old Swedes Church and the Redbank Battlefield — former site of Fort Mercer — before returning to Philadelphias Penns Landing.

But the passengers were more focused on meeting classmates and learning about their soon-to-begin studies in contracts and the Constitution than the celebrated scenery.

The cruise featured music and dancing, with some of the liveliest entertainment provided by 3L Omar Graham, who showed off his Michael Jackson dance moves and incoming 1Ls Barkha Patel and Haley Welch, who teamed up with Class of 2010 alumna Kiana Nesbitt to perform a song by Destinys Child.

Issa DiSciullo, assistant dean for admissions, said the event was designed to make the new students feel at home in the law schools close-knit community.

"Taking a relaxed trip together was a perfect way to help our new students feel at home," she said. "Besides, they are very busy throughout the school year. We wanted them to have a chance to kick back and relax together before the work began."

First-year student Kevin Long said the cruise got the year off to a good start.

"The opportunity to interact with the faculty, staff and upper class students gave me and my guest insight into exactly what I was getting into, and how I could be a part of this unique camaraderie," Long said.

Two weeks after the cruise, the schools orientation program for new students began at the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall. There, the new students began a week-long immersion into the academic and social life of the law school. The incoming students Legal Methods classes got under way and they took part in panel discussions on study habits offered by faculty and students alike. A community-service project capped the week when scores of current students, faculty, law school staff and alumni joined the 1Ls in blazing a trail in West Philadelphias Cobbs Creek Park.