“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Standing in the hall of fame…. Cause you burn with the brightest flame.” - See this video: "Hall of Fame", The Script
We have officially launched the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (C|M|Law) Hall of Fame (“HOF”), created in the summer of 2017, C|M|Law’s 120th anniversary. The C|M|Law Inaugural Hall of Fame Celebration, an annual fundraising event to be held every fall, will be on the evening ofThursday, October 19, 2017, 5:30-8pm. I hope you can join us for a great event!
This year’s 120 honorees are listed at the link below.
The C|M|Law 120 - 2017 Inaugural Hall of Fame Class
Our new Hall of Fame is an outgrowth of our covenant with our students, faculty, staff, graduates, and community to hold true to our commitments and traditions, dedicated to diversity, opportunity, excellence, and civic responsibility. We have a long, proud history dating back to 1897. Cleveland-Marshall College of Law was the first law school in Ohio to admit women and one of the first in the nation to admit minorities. It was our graduates who laid the foundation for the Cleveland legal profession and who led the fight for civil rights in Northeast Ohio.
Below is an explanation of how the inductees were selected.
Who is eligible for the C|M|Law Hall of Fame?
The Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have contributed to the past, present, and/or future success and reputation of C|M|Law. The inductees may include living and deceased alumni, faculty, deans, staff, and community leaders.
Must an honoree be a C|M|Law graduate?
No. While the vast majority of our honorees are current and past alumni, we also honor current and past community leaders and past faculty, deans, and staff. Current full-time faculty and staff are not eligible.
________ deserves to be in the C|M|Law Hall of Fame. Why wasn’t _________ chosen?
It is very important to note that many prominent individuals who clearly are worthy of inclusion were not named this year. The HOF Selection Committee tried to reach a consensus on each nominee, and, as a result, no Committee member had all their first choices selected. 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.
Who made the selections?
Each year the Dean appoints individuals to serve on the HOF Selection Committee (“Committee”). In August I appointed a Hall of Fame Selection Committee of alumni, faculty, and current and past staff. To protect them from any possible pre-selection lobbying and post-selection questions and/or concerns, the list of Committee members is confidential. New Committee members will be selected each year.
How many individuals were considered? Why were 120 chosen?
The Committee reviewed over 250 names, all of them worthy of future inclusion in the Hall of Fame. The Committee decided that it would choose 120 honorees this year- our 120th anniversary- and a much smaller class of inductees each year thereafter.
How many honorees are deceased? How many are living?
To make up for 120 years without a Hall of Fame, the Committee decided that most of the honorees this year would be those who laid the foundation for our success and are deceased (90), and the remaining would be living honorees who continue to make us proud (30).
What were the selection criteria?
While the selection process is admittedly subjective, there are general selection criteria. The criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Individual’s historic significance to the law school and/or the community
- Individual’s professional success and reputation
- Individual’s support of the law school (through time, talent, and/or “treasure”)
The Committee tried to choose, when possible, honorees who fit at least two, and preferably all three criteria.
Is there an open nomination process?
We were not able to have a nomination process this year that was open to the entire C|M|Law community because the Hall of Fame was just created this summer. We did not have the time to open nominations beyond the members of the Selection Committee. Starting in January 2018, an open nomination process will be instituted, and the Committee will begin its deliberations in the first quarter of each calendar year.
Does a Living Honoree have to attend the Hall of Fame Celebration?
Yes. In order to be inducted, the honoree must attend the induction event, because we want to be able to celebrate their induction in person. There were just a few individuals who were selected this year who were unable to attend our October 19 celebration. We have deferred their induction until next year, hoping that with much more advance notice, they will be able to join us then. Individuals who have been selected but are unable to attend the Hall of Fame event are automatically selected for inclusion in the Hall of Fame each year until they are able to attend the annual induction event.
How can I support the October 19 Hall of Fame Celebration?
We hope that you will support our C|M|Law Inaugural Hall of Fame Celebration by purchasing and/or selling tickets, becoming an official sponsor of our inaugural event, and/or purchasing an ad in our Hall of Fame program.
Please go to this link to support the event: C|M|Law Inaugural Hall of Fame Celebration. It would mean a lot to us!
October 19, 2017
Thanks. Have a great week.
My best,
Lee
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.