“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” – President John Quincy Adams
In my welcoming remarks to our first-year class, I asked them to dedicate their first year at C|M|LAW to three special women who recently passed away:
- Judge Jean Murrell Capers ’45 who died at age 104 and who broke barriers and opened doors.
- Heather Heyer, the young paralegal who tragically was killed while peacefully protesting against hateful white supremacists in Charlottesville.
- Emily Pomeranz ’95, who, during her final days of a long bout with cancer, asked for and was sent a mocha milkshake from the iconic restaurant, Tommy’s, in Cleveland Hts. to her hospital room in Arlington Virginia.
Thanks to the generosity of my friend, Tommy Fello, the owner of Tommy’s, every student in our first year class received a gift certificate for one free milkshake from Tommy’s in honor of Emily (see Emily's Milkshake).
Over the next few weeks we will announce the inductees into our inaugural C|M|LAW Hall of Fame. Over these past two weeks, our first-year class heard from a number of future Hall of Famers. These leaders, like Judge Capers, Heather Heyer, and Emily Pomeranz, have not only led the way, they are showing the way.
Our students heard from distinguished graduates who are well-known, highly respected leaders: Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor ’80; Congresswoman Marcia Fudge ’83; Mayor Frank Jackson ’83; Judge Benita Pearson ’95, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; and Cleveland City Council President Kevin Kelley’ 04.
They heard from recent graduates who are rising stars: Adjunct Faculty member Joe Dunson '07, Dunson Law; Miles Welo ’14, MansourGavin; Elizabeth Bonham ’15, ACLU of Ohio; Michael Bowen ’16, Taft Stettinius Hollister; and Tiffany Henderson ’17, Ohio Attorney General’s office.
They heard from some of our most talented students: Maddie Grant (3L), Alanna Guy (3L) and Matthew Mahoney (2L).
They heard oral arguments in our Moot Court Room in a real case before the Ohio Court of Appeals, 8th Appellate District, with Judge Sean Gallagher ’89, Judge Mary J. Boyle ’89, and Judge Larry Jones, Sr.
They heard from constitutional law experts: Judge Dan Polster, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, and Professors David Forte andKevin O’Neill during our open conversation about the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia.
And that was just our first two weeks of the fall semester!
My thanks to our distinguished graduates and community leaders who consistently give back in a variety of ways to enhance our learning environment in and outside the classroom. Special thanks to Associate Dean Michael Borden who chaired the Orientation planning and to all the staff, faculty, students, and alumni who worked so hard to make our first year orientation so successful.
Please join us at our C|M|Law Inaugural Hall of Fame Celebration on October 19, 2017, 5:30-8pm, and please invest in our 120 Scholarship Campaign. Please consider a contribution or pledge today ranging from $120 to $12,000 to $120,000. Please give here: Believe in C|M|LAW. Give Now. or send me an email with your pledge at: lee.fishernull@csuohio.nulledu. It would mean a lot to us.
Have a great week.
My best,
Lee
For copies of past messages, please go to this link: Monday Morning Messages.