“Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it over to future generations.” ― George Bernard Shaw
We are living through a defining moment in history. The convergence of two pandemics is testing our mission, "Learn Law. Live Justice."
Coronavirus is testing our resolve to Learn Law. The virus of racism is testing our resolve to Live Justice.
Let’s grab the splendid torch of social justice passed to us from civil rights and social justice icons like Jane Edna Hunter ’25, Norman S. Minor ’27, Judge Jean Murrell Capers ’45, Congressman Louis Stokes ’53, Mayor Carl Stokes ’56, and C. Lyonel Jones ’63 and a long line of guardians of justice enshrined in our Hall of Fame.
Let our mission be our call to action.
Last week we issued our Call to Action to address racial and social justice and antiracism. This is just a beginning. We commit to spending the upcoming academic year deepening our collective understanding, identifying possible solutions, taking effective action, and expanding and enhancing our resources. Please also see CSU President Harlan Sands Action Steps.
We have created a No Room for Silence webpage, named from the words of our CSU C|M|LAW Black Law Students Association (BLSA) Statement, that includes our Call to Action and other relevant messages and statements.
We also have created a Social Justice and Antiracism Resources Guide. This is a continual work in progress. Please send suggested submissions to CSU C|M|LAW Library Research Services at research.servicesnull@law.csuohio.nulledu
This morning, I am very pleased to announce this year’s 2020 CSU C|M|LAW Hall of Fame Honorees. They are listed below.
Our 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees have carried the torch of our mission and have made it burn brightly. They have used their voices and their expert knowledge of the law to make real change and to make a real difference.
The CSU Cleveland-Marshall Hall of Fame was created in the summer of 2017, CSU C|M|LAW’s 120th anniversary year, to honor those exceptional leaders who have contributed to the past, present, and/or future success and reputation of CSU C|M|LAW. The inductees include living and deceased alumni, faculty, deans, staff, and community leaders. Current full-time faculty and staff are not eligible. See Hall of Fame Selection Criteria
We had over 200 worthy nominations for induction this year, and our Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which consists of a number of past Hall of Fame inductees as well as some staff and faculty, selects our inductees each year. We are very fortunate that there is no shortage of worthy individuals, and we look forward to inducting many other extraordinary people next year and in future years.
Our 4th Annual CSU C|M|LAW Hall of Fame Celebration on Friday, November 6, 2020, 5:30-8pm, gives us the opportunity not only to honor our distinguished inductees, but also to raise much-needed funds for scholarships for our students. The Hall of Fame celebration is the only annual fundraising event sponsored by the law school. It is our single best opportunity to raise funds for much-needed student scholarships.
2020 HONOREES
Ann-Marie Ahern ‘98
Dean Linda L. Ammons
Professor Emeritus Hyman Cohen
Tim L. Collins ‘85
Colleen M. Cotter
Justice Michael P. Donnelly ‘91
Georgia A. Froelich ‘84
M. Colette Gibbons ‘76
David H. Gunning, II ‘94
Judge Leo A. Jackson ‘50
Judge Nathaniel R. Jones
Max I. Kohrman ‘18
Brent W. Larkin ‘86
Steven B. Lesser ‘79
James A. Lowe ‘72
Judge Richard M. Markus
Alan Jay Rom ‘72
Barbara K. Roman ‘77
Judge Basil M. Russo ‘72
Judge Brendan J. Sheehan ‘93
David C. Weiner
F. Scott Wilson ‘81
Sonia Winner
Margaret W. Wong
Xenophon “Xen” Zapis ‘54
Please join me in congratulating our 2020 CSU C|M|LAW Hall of Fame Honorees. Registration is now open to attend and/or sponsor the 2020 Induction Celebration.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay Committed to Living Justice.
Have a great day. Have a great week.
If you missed CSU President Harlan Sand's virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, June 10, you can see it here.
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.
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My views in all my Monday Morning Messages are my personal views alone and do not reflect the views of our law school or our university.
My best,
Lee
