Eight Del Mar students were inducted into the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) national honor society for excellence in paralegal and legal studies April 23. The ceremony was held inside of a fully replicated courtroom in room 240 of the Venters Business Building and featured keynote speaker and Corpus Christi independent business owner Lino Diaz.

The American Association for Paralegal Education founded LEX and define being a member as, “a prestigious achievement that reflects a student’s mastery of rigorous coursework, commitment to academic honesty, and dedication to advancing the paralegal profession.”

The Spring 2025 inductees are Alejandro Benavides, Sarah Carroll, Laura Lee Garcia, Kassandra M. Gonzalez, Stella Elaine Juarez, Lilliana Monreal, Selena Obregon, and Genesis Selene Flores.

Students each came to the center of the room as they were called one by one and presented with a certificate, commemorative pin, and sash by Del Mar Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Jonda Halcomb, and Dean of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Health Sciences Jennifer Sramek.

To qualify for induction into LEX students must have completed at least half of their degree plan, be currently enrolled as a full-time student, maintain an overall GPA above 3.25, as well as a GPA above 3.5 in their legal studies.

“I was super surprised; I was really not expecting it,” said Selena Obregon, paralegal studies major and LEX inductee. “I feel like I’m getting by, bythe skin on my teeth, and so when I got the email, I was super excited. I was like, ‘What?’ Never in my wildest dreams.”

Obregon began her paralegal studies journey after her husband and fellow inductee Alejandro Benavides had started the same degree plan. “He already had the books, and I figured I’d save a little money,” she explained.

She felt like earning this honor was helpful in growing her confidence and giving clarity that she is on the right path. “It helps me feel like I do get this. I am getting a grasp of this, it’s not as hard as I am making it out for myself.”

“They can put it on their resume. They will post their names nationally and they can also apply for a scholarship,” said Professor Gail Dorn, Director of Paralegal Studies, on the primary benefits of the national honor society.

Professor Dorn also explained that despite having students inducted into LEX in 2021, this was the first LEX induction ceremony at Del Mar since 2019. Dorn plans to have another induction ceremony in the fall semester as more students complete half their degree plan.