60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS

Transcription

1 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS i

2 Southern University Board of Supervisors HON. MYRON LAWSON, Chair Alexandria, Louisiana HON. LEA POLK MONTGOMERY, Vice Chair DR. RALPH SLAUGHTER, SU System President and Secretary to the Board HON. JOHNNY G. ANDERSON HON. DALE N. ATKINS New Orleans, Louisiana HON. JESSE B. BILBERRY, JR. HON. RICHARD J. CAITON, JR. Metairie, Louisiana HON. TONY M. CLAYTON Port Allen, Louisiana HON. MARY R. DOUCET Opelousas, Louisiana HON. WARREN A. FORSTALL New Orleans, Louisiana HON. HERMAN HARTMAN, SR. Morgan City, Louisiana HON. LOUIS J. MILLER Gray, Louisiana HON. MURPHY NASH, JR. Shreveport, Louisiana HON. AFI C. PATTERSON (Student Member) HON. SAM TOLBERT Lake Charles, Louisiana HON. E. JEAN WARE Shreveport, Louisiana HON. ACHILLES WILLIAMS Bastrop, Louisiana Law Center Administration FREDDIE PITCHER, JR., B.A., J.D. Chancellor JOHN S. PIERRE, B.S., M.S., J.D. Vice Chancellor for Institutional Accountability and Evening Division RUSSELL JONES, B.A., J.D., LL.M. Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs RUTH B. WESLEY, B.A., J.D. Executive Assistant to the Chancellor STACEY M. ARMELIN, B.S. Administrative Assistant to the Chancellor BERTELL DIXON, B.S. Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs ELAINE S. SIMMONS, B.S., M.S.L.S. Associate Vice Chancellor for Records & Enrollment Management ROEDERICK WHITE, B.S., M.B.A., J.D. Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs BERRYL G. THOMPSON, B.S., J.D. Dean of Academic Support & Counseling CYNTHIA BUGGAGE, B.S., M.P.A. Director of Development RACHEL L. EMANUEL, B.A.J., M.J., Ph.D. Director of Publications & Electronic Media JEROME HARRIS, B.A., J.D. Director of Financial Aid RUTH J. HILL, B.A., M.S.L.S., J.D. Director of Library Services & Associate Professor MICHELLE JACKSON, B.S., J.D. Interim Director of Career Counseling & Development LATA JOHNSON, B.A., M.S., M.S. Director of Information & Technology ANDREA LOVE, B.S., M.Ed. Director of Recruitment CYNTHIA N. REED, B.S., J.D. Director of Continuing Legal Education & Alumni Affairs FELTON DeROUEN, B.S. Coordinator of Facilities RAY HELEN JONES, B.S., M.S. Coordinator of Records VELMA WILKERSON, B.S. Coordinator of Admissions EARLENE CRUMPTON, B.S. Budget Offi cer

3 THE MAGAZINE FOR SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER ALUMNI SUMMER 2007 SOUTHERN REFLECTIONS iii SUMMER/FALL 2007 ISSUE VOLUME 20 NUMBER 1 60 TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE WINTER 2008 VOLUME 20 NUMBER 1 On The Cover Southern University Law Center is celebrating its 60th anniversary this academic year, with a three-fold purpose: Paying SULC Years And Counting Changing Our World F OREVER! Tribute to Our Past; Celebrating the Achievements of the Present; and Preparing to Meet the Challenges of the Future. You are invited to be a part of this significant milestone celebration for legal education in the state of Louisiana. Notwithstanding its birth as a Plessy v. Ferguson institution, SULC has grown to become one of the most racially diverse law schools in the nation, and in particularly, the most racially diverse law school in the state of Louisiana. In its brief history, and according to the publication, Black Issues in Higher Education, our Law Center is ranked third among all institutions awarding law degrees to African Americans. We enjoyed a spectacular evening November 9 at the Anniversary Gala, where we hosted more than 400 of our 3,000-plus alumni as we celebrated 60 Years and Counting Changing OUR WORLD Forever. See article on page 31. Symposium Honors 1956 Graduate Justice Honored Pictured from left, standing, Alden J. McDonald, president and CEO of Liberty Bank and Trust, and former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, congratulate Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr., during the first-time symposium named in his honor Hall of Fame Inductees Left to right: Annette Eddie-Callagain, 81; Brace B. Godfrey, Jr., 85; Ernest Johnson, 76; Chris J. Roy, Jr., 87; Judge Ethel Simms Julien, 82; State Representative T. Taylor Townsend, 89; and W. James Singleton, 73. See article on page 18. SULC THE MAGAZINE FOR SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER ALUMNI Recognized by the Louisiana Press Women s Association and the Southern Public Relations Federation. Chancellor Freddie Pitcher, Jr. Editor Dr. Rachel L. Emanuel Administrative Assistant III Carla Ball Contributor Gail Stephenson, Assistant Professor and Director of Legal Writing Photographer John H. Williams Photography Printer Moran Printing, Inc. Reflections is published twice yearly for the benefit of alumni and friends of the Southern University Law Center. Comments and letters are welcome. We also are interested in publishing articles written by alumni, including professional activities, scholarly reviews, and editorial comments. Please send manuscripts to: Reflections, Post Office Box 9294, Baton Rouge, Louisiana ; (225) ; Fax: (225) ; Remanuel@sulc.edu; Web address: Opinions expressed and positions advocated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Law Center.

4 CONTENTS (continued) Armed Forces Court of Appeal Judge Charles Erdmann, student-attorney Jaymeski Pullins Gorham, Chief Judge Andrew S. Effron, and Judge Scott W. Stuckey Shenequa Grey, 2006 Professor of the Year Day Division 14 Linda Fowler, 2006 Professor of the Year Evening Program Baton Rouge Bar President Barbara Baier, 89 State Senator Donald R. Cravins, Jr., presented a Senate Resolution to retiring Professor Clyde Tidwell at the retirement reception held in his honor. Features 2007 Hall of Fame Inductees True Commitment to Public Service 18 Professors of the Year Discuss Their Love of Teaching 14 Interview with First Grad to Head Baton Rouge Bar Association 16 Faculty Scholarship Rises to 80 Percent 20 Departments 37 The Southern Sit-In Sixteen and their original attorney were honored at a reception and premiere screening of an SULC documentary on the 1960 Baton Rouge Sit-Ins held at the Manship Theatre of the Shaw Center in downtown Baton Rouge. 26 Page 3 CHANCELLOR S MESSAGE Page 26 LAW CENTER NEWS Enrollment Services - Commencement 2006 and 2007 Pictorials Salute Achievement Orientation 2006 and 2007 Recruitment Scores at Pre-Law Day and Minority High School Student Day Faculty and Staff Notes Director Honored at Louisiana Black Film Festival and YWCA s Racial Justice Award Breakfast CLE and Alumni Affairs 2007 Alumni Round-Up and more 47 Memorial Scholarship Presentation Judge Trudy White, Judge Luke LaVergne, Chancellor Pitcher, Judge Yvette Alexander, and Judge John Michael Guidry. Page 37 DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS 2007 Chancellor s Golf Scramble Retiring Professor Prompts Establishment of Endowed Professorship Settlements Mean Good Dollars for Law Center and more Page 40 ALUMNI UPDATES Achievements and Accolades - Alumni Involvement in History Making Cases Thomas Nelson Elected Mayor of New Roads, Louisiana and more Page 44 STUDENT ACTIVITIES Honors and Organizations Students Standout Throughout the Year Monica Smith s Summer Internship Focuses on U.S. Supreme Court Decision Daphne Trevathan Recognized by National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) and more Inside Back Cover Upcoming Events 48 First-Place Winners In 2007 Chancellor s Scramble From left: SULC student George Grace, Jr., Will Coenen, Brian Carmouche, and Allison Young. 2 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008)

5 As the Southern University Law Center celebrates its 60th anniversary throughout the academic year, we are reminded of all the opportunities afforded us to make this institution the best that it can be. These opportunities most often deal with change, progress, and doing things differently. As announced in the 2005 Winter/Spring issue of Reflections, we instituted a weekly electronic newsletter, SULC E-News, and because of its frequency in publication it can provide more up-todate coverage of happenings at the Law Center. You may also receive a relatively new magazine that covers news about SULC people and events published by the SU System, with the assistance of the SULC Office of Publications and Electronic Media. Continuing to engage our readers, who have enjoyed Reflections since its inception as a newsletter in 1993 and change to the magazine format in 1994, is an on-going commitment of the Law Center staff. With this idea in mind, we have taking the occasion of our 60th anniversary to celebrate by giving Reflections a facelift. This issue introduces more color, new graphics, larger photographs, and an editorial modification that should keep our feature articles fresh, entertaining, and inspiring. We hope to promote creative thinking about how you can help us tell the Law Center story in ways that engender recruitment of the best and brightest in students, faculty, and staff; garner recognition of excellence and national prominence; and stimulates increased involvement in sponsored-events and greater financial support. For reasons beyond our control, the revamping of the magazine has taken longer than anticipated and we regret that our readers have missed a copy of Reflections since the Winter/Spring 2006 issue. Not to neglect coverage of significant annual events of the Law Center, this issue includes reporting of the commencement exercises, the orientation program, staff and faculty retirements, student achievements, and other news from 2006 and However, our 60th anniversary takes center stage with coverage of events that took place during the first semester of the year including the kick-off, alumni receptions across the state and in cities with significant numbers of alumni, the endowed professorship reception, and the November gala. The next issue of Reflections will continue coverage of the 60th anniversary with news about the $4.1 million Law Center expansion ground-breaking, the ABA accreditation site team visit, the J. J. McKernan Lecture Series, the Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr., Symposium on Law, Politics, Civil Rights, and Justice, the 2008 Commencement, and more. We ask that you submit comments and reflections on the 60th anniversary and what it means to you. We hope you enjoy the magazine s new format. Your comments and feedback on the new Reflections are welcome. Thank you for your continued support by submitting your news and article ideas for publication. And we say Happy Anniversary! Southern University Law Center Sixty Years and Counting: Changing OUR WORLD Forever. Chancellor s Message Freddie Pitcher, Jr. Chancellor Southern University Law Center This issue introduces more color, new graphics, larger photographs, and an editorial modification that should keep our feature articles fresh, entertaining, and inspiring. 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS 3

6 Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr. Symposium on Law, Politics, Civil Rights, and Justice Why Justice Matters in the Rebuiding of Community Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr. (Retired) Marc Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League Milton J. Bailey President, Louisiana Housing Finance Agency William Bill Rouselle President and CEO Bright Moments, Inc. Mtumishi St. Julien Executive Director New Orleans Finance Authority Dr. Albert W. Morris, Jr. President National Medical Association Richard Pennington Chief of Police Atlanta, Georgia Dr. Lee Brown Chairman and CEO Brown Group International The Honorable Arthur L. Hunter, Jr. Judge, New Orleans Criminal Court Former New Orleans District Attorney Eddie Jordan 4 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008)

7 Symposium Convened to Address Rebuilding Community Former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, led ten other national and regional experts who were convened in Baton Rouge, March 29, for Southern University Law Center s newly established Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr., Symposium on Law, Politics, Civil Rights, and Justice. The symposium attracted more than 100 attorneys and community, business, and political leaders, as well as experts and other professionals who addressed the topic of rebuilding community in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Morial gave the keynote luncheon address, Justice Matters: Maintaining Political Leadership, at the Shaw Center for the Arts. Liberty Bank and Trust was a major sponsor for the event. The former mayor, who still has a home in New Orleans, but lives in New York because of his job running the Urban League, explained that In a tragedy, in a disaster (like Katrina) all suffer. There s this haughty view out there that New Orleans has mountains and valleys, high ground and low ground. In south Louisiana, we know it s all low ground. In discussing the politics surrounding the rebuilding of New Orleans, Morial said, Everybody should have the right to go home. However there is growing belief that rebuilding or moving back to New Orleans is out of the financial reach for many New Orleanians. Businesses have lost their customer base; some people don t have neighbors, he said. Morial commended the Law Center for having a Civil Rights and Justice Institute and spelled out its value and the activities it must engage in to help Louisiana solve its problems. It (the institute) can be about helping folks in the legislature to deal with a myriad of issues regarding economics, regulatory, environmental and legal, giving them fresh and clean, new ideas to move this state forward, Morial said. The opening session was Justice Matters: Creating Inclusive Communities and Affordable Public Housing. Mtumishi St. Julien, executive director of New Orleans Finance Authority, advocated for more affordable housing through leverage of policy issues. St. Julien argued the pros and cons of various housing assistance issues, but noted the need for lower interest rates, down payment assistance, a lease/purchase program, anti-insurance fraud measures, credit repair assistance, and gap financing, such as the Road Home program. The problem with the Road Home program is a process problem rather than a product problem, he said. Therefore, people at all levels of the problem must be involved in public policy-making, St. Julien said. William Rouselle, president and CEO of Bright Moments, Inc., and Milton J. Bailey, president of the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, also was included on that panel. Dr. Albert W. Morris, Jr., president of the National Medical Association, presented on the topic, Justice Matters: Keeping Healthy. Dr. Morris discussed the impact of Katrina on medical delivery systems in New Orleans. Justice Matters: Overhauling the Criminal Justice System was addressed by Lee P. Brown, chairman and CEO of the Brown Group International; Judge Arthur L. Harris, Jr., of the Orleans Parish Criminal Court; District Attorney Eddie Jordan of New Orleans; and Richard Pennington, Chief of Police for Atlanta, Georgia. Criminal justice is a process not a system, according to Brown, a long-time outspoken advocate and enforcer of community policing. In community policing, he said, The community is willing to work with the police to help make community safe. Rachel L. Emanuel, director of publications and electronic media; and Cynthia N. Reed, director of CLE and Retired Justice Honored The Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr., Symposium for Law, Politics, Civil Rights, and Justice is named for New Orleans native and long-time resident Revius O. Ortique, Jr., a 1956 graduate of the Southern University Law School, who became the first African-American to be elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Justice Ortique (retired) through his many first attainments in the legal profession is a person of leadership, courage, dedication, and perseverance. To honor Justice Ortique for his monumental impact on the course of judicial, political, and civil rights history in Louisiana and throughout the nation, SULC will host an annual academic conference on law, politics, civil rights, and justice. Organized by Law Center administrators, students, and alumni volunteers, the symposium will provide a forum for thematic discussions, films, readings, and public addresses by experts; and provides the opportunity for continuing legal education. alumni affairs, served as symposium chair and co-chair, respectively. Faculty and alumni facilitators were Angela Allen-Bell, adjunct professor of law; Shenequa Grey, assistant professor of law; Russell Jones, vice chancellor for academic affairs; Tonya Ozene, Class of 2006; Nadia Nedzel, assistant professor of law; John Pierre, vice chancellor for institutional accountability and evening division; Donald Tibbs, assistant professor of law and director of the Civil Rights and Justice Institute; Evelyn Wilson, professor of law. Student facilitators were Marcus Augustine, Marc Batte, Dr. Jasmine Brooks, Tamesha Bendaw, Angela Brown, Eston Hood, Dr. Anthony Ioppolo, Jonathan Riley, Tavares Walker, Sheritta Woodruff, and Walter Zinn. 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS 5

8 The Class of COMMENCEMENT 2006 COMMENCEMENT SERIOUSNESS OF PURPOSE 2006 COMMENCEMENT 2006 COMMENCEMENT Marking the 20th anniversary of the Law Center holding its graduation ceremony apart from Southern University s Baton Rouge campus, the 113 members of the Class of 2006 marched across the stage to received their law school diplomas. The class of 2006 was introduced in the 2003 Orientation as one of the largest classes in Law Center history. The group also represented the first students enrolled in the Law Center s part-time day program division, which began in Commencement speaker Associate Justice Catherine Kitty Kimball of the Louisiana Supreme Court gave a message of inspiration and congratulations. Justice Kimball wished the graduates well on taking the bar and said she looks forward to having them in the legal profession. Edward Ted James, III, 2006 graduate and SBA president, with Commencement speaker Louisina Supreme Court Associate Justice Catherine D. Kitty Kimball and Chancellor Pitcher. 6 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008)

9 Clinical Education Award Recipient- from left: S. Gill and Professor Marcia Burden Clinical Education Award Recipients- from left: H. Gloston-Hilliard and K. Brown Clinical Education Award Recipient-from left Professor Virginia Listach with V. Carter Clinical Education Award Recipients- from left: D. Jackson, W. Zanders, Jr., and V. Carter Top student H. Gloston-Hillard and Chancellor Freddie Pitcher, Jr. Recruitment Committee- from left: D. Brown, M. Wright, and E. James II Joint JD and MPA Graduates-from left: T. Dowell, T. Boudy, A. Bailey, and S. Varnado 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS 7

10 More Class of Academic Support Teaching Assistants-standing from left: S. Simmons, K. Brown, D. Jackson, A. Eiland, E. Claville, N. Walker, M. Cage, C. Mack, L. Durham, C. Mack, D. Edwards, A. Claxton, E. James II, R. Candler, E. Waddell, and K. Bagawandoss; seated from left, H. Gloston-Hillard, K. Carter, A. Roche, B. Spurlock, D. Guidry, M. Brown, T. Boudy, B. Biagas, and I. McCrea SBA Officers/Board-standing from left: E. Claville; D. Edwards, L. Durham, and C. Green; seated from left: S. Simmons, E. James II, and B. Biagas Inn of Court-standing from left: B. Stelly, E. James II, A. Clayton, L. Durham, D. Edwards, A. Eiland, and K. Brown; seated from left, D. Guidry, A. Roche, A. Ferachi, V. Carter, M. Montalbano, R. Candler, and C. Duhon Law Review-from left: M. Cage, B. Stelly, I. McCrea, M. Wright, H. Gloston-Hillard, A. Eiland, K. Bagawandoss, and R. Messer 8 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) Moot Court Graduates-standing from left: A. Eiland, B. Stelly, B. Frazier, Prof. Virginia Listach, T. Dukes, R. Messer, A. Ferachi, R. Candler, and W. Zanders; seated from left: D. Guidry, M. Brown, D. Jackson, I. Lazard, and E. Claville

11 2006 Graduates Honor Graduates-standing from left: E. James II, W. Dodd, I. Lazard, B. Stelly, J. Dagate, A. Roche, S. Chabert, R. Messer, E. Waddell, M. Cage, S. Washington, W. Bergeron, L. Durham, A. Claxton, D. Edwards, M. Wright, M. Foster, K. Bagawandoss, M. Montalbano, R. Husband, G. Waddell, J. Champlin, W. Bankston, and B. Searcy; seated from left: A. Ferachi, R. Candler, E. Claville, N. Walker, D. Guidry, H. Gloston-Hillard, B. Spurlock, K. Pleasant, C. Duhon, and I. McCrea Elzie Alford, Jr. Northridge, California Charles Edward Brumfield, Jr. Albany, Louisiana William Seth Dodd Houma, Louisiana Consuella Lenear Green Bianca LaShone Lee Lutcher, Louisiana Antonette A. Roché Port Allen, Louisiana Erin Leigh Waddell Shreveport, Louisiana Efrem F. Armstrong Monroe, Louisiana Michael S. Bradley Greenwell Springs, Louisiana Tremayne Temetrius Dowell Prichard, Alabama Merchon Delesia Green Vero Beach, Florida Tracey Lee, II Wilmington, Deleware Cassie M. Rodrigue Thibodaux, Louisiana Gregory Leo Waddell Shreveport, Louisiana Brandon James Babineaux Lakethia Breyun Bryant Gabe Anthony Duhon Kaplan, Louisiana Seth Greer Vidalia, Louisiana Macie Rae Letard Edward D. Rubin, II Carencro, Louisiana Dylana L. Wadley Houston, Texas Kesavalu M. Bagawandoss Aishala Ishanti Burgess Charenton, Louisiana Temica Reneé Dukes New Roads, Louisiana Donald James Guidry, Jr. Chanelle Nicole Mack Waggaman, Louisiana Colette Greggs Russell Nykeba Rochello Walker Bienville, Louisiana April Charmain Bailey Atlanta, Georgia Gregory Allen Burrell New Orleans, Louisiana Nadine Dunbar Lake Charles, Louisiana Tyroid Harton, Jr. Chrystal Michelle Matthews Danielle Ann Soldani Ryland Mansura, Louisiana Steven R. Walters Ellen Smith Ballard Moses Cage, III New Orleans, Louisiana Keenan Dunlap New Orleans, Louisiana Jason Phillip Hawkins Kelvin Donell May Angie, Louisiana Kelvin O Shea Scott Monroe, Louisiana Sonia Elsie Washington Ridgeland, Mississippi Wyman Earl Bankston Albany, Louisiana Rikkisha Lashea Candler Lori Liza Dunn New Orleans, Louisiana Jonathan Joseph Henderson Ian S. McCrea Brett Michael Searcy Gretna, Louisiana Elizabeth A. White Michael Laurence Barras Lafayette, Louisiana Brian Talbot Carmouche Lacy Ladonna Durham Minden, Louisiana Navoda S. Hilton Prairieville, Louisiana Karen Renée McWhite Albany, Georgia James Brandon Shaw Jennings, Louisiana Don Roshon Williams Monroe, Louisiana Alexander D. Bates New Orleans, Louisiana Kimberly Nicole Carter D Lisia C. Edwards Plaquemine, Louisiana Roshawn Robinette Husband New Orleans, Louisiana Rusty Monét Messer Prairieville, Louisiana Beverly Fruge Shermer Jennifer Renee Woodland Wesley J. Bergeron Thibodaux, Louisiana Valencia Rashellé Carter Anthony Paul Eiland Damien C. Jackson John D. Mitchum James Vincent Short, II Newburg, Maryland Brian A. Woods, Jr. Kenner, Louisiana Bridget Anne Biagas New Orleans, Louisiana Irvin Joseph Celestine, Jr. Lafayette, Louisiana Angie Nicole Eubanks Houston, Texas Michael W. Jackson Plaqemine, Louisiana Michael Joseph Montalbano, III Saul Elisha Simmons Lake Charles, Louisiana Kathy Wright Antonio Birotte Opelousas, Louisiana Scotty E. Chabert, Jr. Antonio Charles Ferachi Plaquemine, Louisiana Edward C. James, II Carl Anthony Moore, II Houston, Texas Brook Shantel Spurlock Monique O. Wright Tallahassee, Florida Rhonda Sylvain Blacknell Justin B. Champlin Murphy J. Foster, Jr. Franklin, Louisiana Petrina R. Johns Edward Moses, Jr. Brandon Kyle Stelly Opelousas, Louisiana Willie Matthews Zanders, Jr. New Orleans, Louisiana Jonathan Dewayne Blake Natchitoches, Louisiana Michelle Andrica Charles Brian Edward Frazier Grayson, Louisiana Christy Lynette Jones Vi Nanthaveth Maria Elena Stillman Miami, Florida Kristin Marie Gautreau Zimmerman Gonzales, Louisiana Bradley Steven Blanchard Troynel Denise Boudy Robert K. Chevalier Breaux Bridge, Louisiana Eric Wayne Claville Tracie Danae Freeman New Orleans, Louisiana LaShonda Marie Gedward St. Martinville, Louisiana William B. Jones Baytown, Texas Shalita Monique Kelly Andrea Odessa Nathan Vacherie, Louisiana Thomas A. Nelson, Jr New Roads, Louisiana Steven Benard Sumbler Oakdale, Louisiana Ryan M. Temple Joint JD and MPA Candidates Shadi Bouz Alexandria, Louisiana Angela Lynn Claxton Tallulah, Louisiana Steven Courtney Gill New Orleans, Louisiana Corey Anthony Kenney Baker, Louisiana Lisa Michael Parker Labadieville, Louisiana Charmaine Nicole Thomas Marrero, Louisiana April Charmain Bailey Atlanta, Georgia Damon D. Brown Thibodaux, Louisiana Ronald Edward Coleman Voorhees, New Jersey Hester Gloston-Hilliard LaPlace, Louisiana Christopher Patrick Keyser Robert Geraud Peters, Jr. Jason B. Thrower Troynel Denise Boudy Kerri Delon Brown Corey Clayton Cranford Hattiesburg, Mississippi J. D. Goins Alexandria, Louisiana Courtney Imani Marie King Maria Christie LeBoeuf Pitre Youngsville, Louisiana Tracy Lynn Tyler New Orleans, Louisiana Tremayne Temetrius Dowell Prichard, Alabama Mesa Brown-Jefferson Winnsboro, Louisiana Jason A. Dagate Houma, Louisiana George Louis Grace, Jr. St. Gabriel, Louisiana Ivory Mechelle Lazard Lake Charles, Louisiana Kristen Brown Pleasant Sean A. Varnado Sean A. Varnado Rebecca Denise Broussard Lafayette, Louisiana Keith Lamonte Dobbs Memphis, Tennessee Anthony Lavell Green Blake Michael LeBlanc Pride, Louisiana Ryan Christopher Robison Shana Shirley Veade 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS 9

12 The Class of 2007 Southern University Law Center Commencement One hundred and forty three graduates were awarded the Juris Doctor Degree from the Southern University Law Center during the 2007 Commencement, held Saturday, May 12, at the Felton G. Clark Activity Center. Naomi Churchill Earp, Chair, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), delivered the 2007 Commencement address telling the graduates to remember PIE, take pride in what they do; protect their images; and not limit themselves, but take advantage of exposure to all the opportunities that the world and their careers have to offer. Golden Alumni Murphy W. Bell of Baton Rouge, former executive director of the Capital Area Legal Services and chief public defender, and the late Lawrence Wheeler of New Orleans, a criminal justice solo practitioner, were recognized for earning their JDs 50 years ago. TOP: Graduates Told to Remember PIE: Pride, Image, and Exposure Terry Landry, Jr., 2007 graduate and SBA president, with Commencement speaker Naomi Churchill Earp, Chair, United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Chancellor Freddie Pitcher, Jr. ABOVE: Chancellor Pitcher and Commencement speaker Naomi Churchill Earp led the recessional. 10 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008)

13 Top student N. Rockforte and Chancellor Freddie Pitcher, Jr. Clinical Education Award Recipients-from left, first row: L. Cleere, B. Garrett-Levison, D. Vorise, and J. Jarreau; second row, from left, M. Albert III, T. Landry, N. Cooper, and K. Augillard. Academic Support Teaching Assistants-from left, first row: A. Mason, B. Reed, T. Cooper-Smith, B. Garrett-Levison, R. Keelen-Williams, J. Jarreau, D. Arceneaux, L. Cleere, and E. Branzaru; from left, second row: T. Lowe, A. Smith, K. Brumfield, N. Kimble, J. Dunahoe, M. Dickerson, K. Bernhard, F. Jones, and C. Losavio SBA Officers/Board-from left, first row: M. Smith, K. Brumfield, and S. Fowler; from left, second row: F. Jones, D. McKay, T. Landry, Jr., and N. Clark. 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS 11

14 SULC Law Review-from left, first row: K. Bergeron, T. Cooper-Smith, B. Garrett-Levison, R. Keelen-Williams, J. Jarreau, and N. Clark; from left, second row: N. Amstutz, C. Cravins, C. Joiner, V. Douglas, V. Suane, and A. Philen. Inn of Court- from left, first row: I. James, C. Wimbley, S. Fowler, N. Clark, L. Cleere, M. Smith, T. Lowe, K. Brumfield, and A. Smith; from left, second row: F. Jones, K. Augillard, C. Joiner, D. McKay, T. Landry, Jr., V. Douglas, V. Suane, S. Bluford, and M. St. Mary. Moot Court-from left, first row: E. Miniex-Mayon, A. Mason, K. Antonie, B. Garret-Levison, J. Jarreau, and B. Reed; from left, second row: T. Cooper-Smith, S. Mellion, M. Dickerson, C. Losavio, and B. Brown. Recruitment Committee-from left, first row: M. Wright, I. James, M. Smith, and S. Fowler; from left, second row: C. Joiner, D. McKay, and B. Brown. 12 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008)

15 SULC 2007 Honor Graduates Honor Graduates-seated from left: F. Jones, T. Cooper-Smith, K. Bowman, B. Reed, K. Brumfield, N. Clark, L. Cleere, S. Anderson, J. Jarreau, and S. Jourdan; standing from left, second row: A. Smith, B. Schexnailder, S. Mellion, E. Branzaru, K. White, C. Losavio, A. Mason, K. Bergeron, E. Gremillion, B. Garrett-Levison, S. Bluford, and D. Arceneaux; standing from left, third row: B. Caillouet, T. Howard, N. Rockforte, L. Murphy, C. Joiner, A. Dewey, J. Dunahoe, V. Suane, M. Dickerson, C. Cravins, V. Douglas, D. Godfrey, P. Moser, A. Philen, K. Augillard, V. Stephens, W. Burris, N. Amstutz, and P. McQueen. SULC 2007 Graduates Kavitha Akula Mitchell L. Albert, III Nicole M. Amstutz Sara T. Anderson Kenesha D. Antoine Thibodaux, Louisiana David Grant Arceneaux Thibodaux, Louisiana Marcia Caillouet Arceneaux Thibodaux, Louisiana Ashley Arinder Kyle David Augillard New Orleans, Louisiana Andréa Marie Augustus New Orleans, Louisiana Nicholas Blair Authement Mandeville, Louisiana Matthew Scott Belser Greensburg, Louisiana Ashley N. Benoit Lake Arthur, Louisiana James Benton, III Lake Charles, Louisiana Kari A. Bergeron Carencro, Louisiana Frantzgermain Bernadin Nanvet, NY Kenneth W. Bernhard, II Benjamin Turner Bethard Coushatta, Louisiana Henry William Bethard, V Coushatta, Louisiana Summer Sheree Bluford Alysson Foti Bourque Breaux Bridge, Louisiana Kathryn Hughes Bowman Memphis, Tennessee Elena Paulina Branzaru Candace Marie Breaux Melody Bridgewater Houma, Louisiana Charles A. Brock, Jr. Broussard, Louisiana Brandon Bonaparte Brown Monroe, Louisiana Krystal Joy Brumfield Roseland, Louisiana Barrett D. Burkart, Jr. Westwego, Louisiana William H. Burris Franklinton, Louisiana Stephen Benjamin Caillouet Thibodaux, Louisiana Marie-France Jessica Cantave Lafayette, Louisiana Jo-Leo Wade Carney-Waterton Blackwood, New Jersey Brandy S. Citizen Ellenwood, Georgia Nefertara Clark Bowman, Georgia Stacey K. Clarke Gonzales, Louisiana Ethel Mae McFarland Shelton Clay Clarksdale, Mississippi Lindy Hicks Cleere Greenwell Springs, Louisiana Shameca Shantè Collins Natchez, Mississippi Nicolette Christina Colly Gregory Cook Baker, Louisiana Tawnii N. Cooper-Smith Luther, Louisiana Charles T. Cravins Opelousas, Louisiana Helen Mary Daniel Houston, Texas Harry Lawrence Daniels, III New Iberia, Louisiana Ashton T. Dewey Marla Lashea Dickerson Brusly, Louisiana Rochelle Shuffield Doty Troy Michael Douglas New Orleans, Louisiana Vionne M. Douglas Houma, Louisiana Keturah Drake Port Gibson, Mississippi Jared Ryan Dunahoe Natchitoches, Louisiana Melissa Michelle Folse Sacia Idella Fowler Edmond, Oklahoma Raashand Michelle Frazier Joèl Leah Freeman Bernetta M. Garrett-Levison Satartia, Mississippi Stephanie Reuter Gettys Anna M. Giordano Alexandria, Louisiana Deidra L. Godfrey Ville Platte, Louisiana Christopher Sephern Green Vicksburg, Mississippi Lisa Ann Green Palmetto, Louisiana Emily Beth Gremillion Moreauville, Louisiana Karla Denise Guity Lee Harden Peter James Hamilton, III Karen Jean Hayes Pine Bluff, Arkansas Lacey Lynne Henry Timothy Michael Howard Morgan City, Louisiana LaShaunte Gloria Humphrey Cathedral City, California Tenedra A. Jackson Lutcher, Louisiana Ingrid Janell James Bossier City, Louisiana Michael A. Jarrard Chicago, Illinois Jessica Chutz Jarreau Orenthal Jude Jasmin Vacherie, Louisiana Erica Nicole Jefferson Shreveport, Louisiana Courtney Terell Joiner Monroe, Louisiana Frederick Douglas Jones Howell Davidson Jones, IV Alexandria, Louisiana Jennifer Elizabeth Joy Lafayette, Louisiana Jonathan Joy Lafayette, Louisiana Raynique T. Keelen-Williams Nicholas Dunteé Kimble Jackson, Mississippi Shelley Marie Jourdan Terri Russo Lacy Greenwell Springs, Louisiana Terry C. Landry, Jr. Lafayette, Louisiana Albert E. Latham, Jr. Victor R. Loraso, III Candace Lynette Wells Losavio Baker, Louisiana Treffaney R. Lowe Seattle, Washington Angela Patrice Mason Brandy Lynn McClure Jonesville, Louisiana Danté T. McKay East Point, Georgia Philip Edwin McQueen Peter John Marshall Schuyler Keith Mellion Erica Rene Miniex Opelousas, Louisiana Daniel Ellis Morris Cleveland, Mississippi Pamela Roxanne Moser Ruston, Louisiana LaDonte Akeem Murphy Opelousas, Louisiana Miracle DéHaven Myles James Harold Napper, III Lisa Michael Parker Labadieville, Louisiana Katherine E. Pellegran Lafayette, Louisiana Ashley Elizabeth Philen Natchez, Louisiana LySheenya D. Phillips Panama City, Florida Alex Payton Prochaska Opelousas, Louisiana Jayneski Shuntai Pullins-Gorham Kenner, Louisiana Danielle Q. Quarles Los Angeles, California Brittany LaShaune Reed Opelousas, Louisiana Charlee Kimberly Renaud Opelousas, Louisiana Nicholas R. Rockforte Maringouin, Louisiana Edwin D. Rubin, II Carencro, Louisiana Brandi Michelle Sanders Franklin, Louisiana Sangbahn Youloamour Scere Vivian, Louisiana Beau Daniel Schexaildre Walter C. Scott, Jr. Miami Lakes, Florida Michelle R. Shelton Port Allen, Louisiana Melvin A Shortess, Jr. Ashley Ian Smith New Orleans, Louisiana Monica Lynn Smith Indianapolis, IN Melissa Anne St. Mary Iowa, Louisiana Victoria Sweetin Stephens Covington, Louisiana Adrienne L. Stevens Victor J. Suane, Jr. Mandeville, Louisiana Pamela Denise Taplin Woodville, Mississippi Derrick Abraham Taylor Shontell Angelic Terrance Marrero, Louisiana Kimberly Anisha Thomas New Orleans, Louisiana Yves M. Verret, III Denham Springs, Louisiana Valencia J. Vessel Plaquemine, Louisiana Demi Lynn Vorise Maringouin, Louisiana Christopher Jermaine Washington Simmesport, Louisiana Jonas Blake Weatherbie Monroe, Louisiana Kendra D. White Fayetteville, North Carolina Don Roshon Williams Monroe, Louisiana Renada A. Williams Alexandria, Louisiana Marjorianna Willman Christina Maria Wimbley Alexandria, Louisiana Dexter Lamon Woodberry Vaughan, Mississippi Ebony Tanjel Woodruff Harvey, Louisiana Monika R. Wright Maringouin, Louisiana Jessica S. Yarbrough El Dorado, Arkansas Kathryn Ariel Young Humble, Texas Walter Howard Zinn, Jr. 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS 13

16 Left: Shenequa Grey, Day Program Teacher of the Year Right: Linda C. Fowler, Night Program Teacher of the Year Shenequa Grey, Day Program Teacher of the Year For the first year selections for Teacher of the Year were made from the day program and the part-time evening program. We salute this year s honorees who were relatively newcomers to the Law Center faculty and have added much to the law studies environment. Read what they say that reveal why they are true standouts. RE: What is your philosophy on teaching? Grey: My philosophy on teaching is to do my best to make sure that at the end of the day, they ve got it. Teaching law requires challenging the students in many ways and requiring them to think and to learn the analytical process. For me it s not enough to say that I went through the motions and assigned the cases and talked about it in class. I have a goal of making sure that each student understands the law and how it is applied. Some of the best advise that I received from a senior professor during my very first week of teaching at SULC was that each day go into the classroom with a few points that you want to get across to the students and focus on that, because If you try to give them too much, they get nothing. And that s what I do each day. RE: Describe what you hope to accomplish as a professor. Grey: Our job entails so much more than teaching. I also know that as a professor I am a mentor and role model for students, which I feel is a very important part of my job. As a professor of law, I understand that many students as well as many colleagues in the legal profession consider us as a resource of information in our fields and that brings with it a responsibility to stay current on law, court decisions, research and writing. RE: Describe your relationship with the students. Grey: I have an outstanding relationship with the students and my interaction with them is what makes my day. Many of my students feel comfortable enough with me to seek advisement and counseling on career decisions, resume writing, interviewing tips, bar preparation, letters of recommendation, etc., but they also understand my position and have always treated me with the utmost respect both inside and outside of the classroom. Working with the students has definitely been the most rewarding part of this job. I ve completed two years now so I m starting to see them pass the bar and get jobs, and it feels good 14 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008)

17 thinking that I played some small part in that. RE: How do you define your mentoring relationship with students? Grey: Several students truly value my opinion and seek advice and counseling on a number of issues. They know that it wasn t long ago that I did the exact same thing they re doing now with deciding career paths, getting jobs, taking the bar exam, etc. I take great pride in my role as a mentor and I try to make sure that they know they are a priority of Grey: I loved attending law school at SULC and I loved the study of law then and I still do. Southern helped me to form a very positive outlook on legal education due to the very challenging yet supportive and encouraging environment. Also I find that knowing the faculty and administration, and being familiar with resources were also very important assets. I certainly had no questions about whether I was prepared to take on the leadership role in the classroom because I felt thoroughly prepared. I was ready and I am very pleased with the feedback As a professor of law, I understand that many students as well as many colleagues in the legal profession consider us as a resource of information in our fields and that brings with it a responsibility to stay current on law, court decisions, research and writing. Professor Shenequa Grey Teachers of the Year mine and that I truly care about their success. RE: What has been your most significant moment in teaching? Grey: Just being hired changed my life. But since I ve started, if I had to pick one moment, which is very difficult, it would have to be the honor of winning Professor of the Year. RE: How did attending Southern University Law Center help to prepare you for your faculty position? that I get from the students on what they feel that they re getting from my classes. RE: What advice would you give to law students preparing now to pursue career goals that may include teaching? Grey: I would first encourage them to follow through with that goal because I think that teaching is a wonderful profession that I love and I hope that they will love as well. I would highly recommend getting an LLM degree in a field of interest to them. I would encourage them to take advantage of writing opportunities in law school such as law review or writing competitions to begin honing their writing skills early and to build upon that so that they can develop the type of strong writing skills needed for scholarship purposes. Finally, I would encourage them to practice law a few years first to have some practical experience to bring to the classroom. Linda C. Fowler, Night Program Teacher of the Year RE: What is your philosophy on teaching? Fowler: My approach is to make learning legal analysis and research as interesting and enjoyable as possible with an eye toward preparation for students final exams, bar exams, and law practice. RE: Describe what you hope to accomplish as a law professor. Fowler: I hope that my students will walk away from my course with the skills and confidence to research and analyze legal problems with an appropriate respect for the importance of analysis. RE: Describe your relationship with the students. Fowler: I try to convey that I am approachable and enjoy working with my students. I emphasize that I am available to help them learn the material on an individual basis if they need special attention. RE: How do you define your mentoring relationship with students? Fowler: I let them know that I am here to help them learn, and I endeavor continued on next page 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008) SULC REFLECTIONS 15

18 Teachers of the Year (continued) to give feedback on their work in an encouraging manner. I share experiences from my law practice years with them to demonstrate the practicality of their legal education. RE: What has been your most significant moment in teaching? Fowler: It was two years ago when I had the opportunity to join the SULC faculty and help start our new evening program. Working with the other faculty members and our non-traditional evening students has been tremendously rewarding. RE: How will you prepare for each year of working with your students? Fowler: I work on improving my teaching materials every year and continually search for new ways to teach. I also participate in conferences where new teaching methods are discussed and ideas are exchanged among law professors. RE: What advice would you give to law students preparing now to pursue career goals that may include teaching? Fowler: I would advise students to seek opportunities to engage in scholarship while pursuing their law degrees. Barbara Baier, 2007 Baton Rouge Bar Association President: I don t fit the profile. By Gail Stephenson, assistant professor and director of legal writing Barbara Baier, 89, took a decidedly nontraditional route to becoming president of the Baton Rouge Bar Association. Many of her predecessors followed the Catholic High/LSU undergrad/lsu law/big firm path, Baier, only the fourth woman to preside over the BRBA, didn t go to the state s largest public law center, didn t go straight to law school from undergrad school, and doesn t work for a big firm. As she describes herself, I don t fit the profile. Thank goodness the BRBA is not guilty of profiling! Spring 2007 Convocation participants listen to president of the Baton Rouge Bar Association Barbara Baier, 98, discuss community service. Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Roederick White and Vice Chancellor for Institutional Development and Evening School John Pierre were selected as Teachers of the Years. Read their profiles in the next issue of Reflections. Barbara Baier is not originally from Baton Rouge, as you can quickly tell by her accent Gretna tinged with Boston (her mother is a native Bostonian). She is the third of ten children eight boys and two girls. At Archbishop Blenk High School in Gretna she played volley ball, basketball, and indoor baseball (cabbage ball), and she sang and played the guitar in a folk group, The Shades of Youth. We would sing in Jackson Square [in New Orleans] and pretend we were from somewhere else Boston or New York, she said. Someone always had to watch out to make sure no relative was coming down the path. She graduated from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette with a double major in sociology and psychology and got a job in Baton Rouge City Court as a probation officer. She had thought about going to graduate school, not 16 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008)

19 Barbara Baier believes that her education at the Law Center prepared her well for practice. Baton Rouge City Court Judge Darrell White gave her good advice: You get out of law school what you put into it. If you read the cases, study, and come to class on time, you re going to learn. law school, because I always thought lawyers were brilliant, like heart surgeons. After observing attorneys in action in City Court, however, she decided she was capable of being an attorney. After nine years as a probation officer, she applied to both LSU and SULC. She received her acceptance letter from LSU first, so she entered LSU, which turned out to be a bad decision. She started over a year later at SULC a better place for me to be, based on the way they treated you, she says. I enjoyed my experience there much better. Baier said that at first she was a little intimidated and maybe had a bit of an inferiority complex. But on her first day she met a good friend from high school, and law school at SULC quickly turned into a good experience for her. She graduated from the Law Center in May 1989 and was sworn in to practice law that October. During law school Baier clerked at Seale, Smith, Zuber & Barnette, and she was asked to stay on after she passed the bar. She said there were no other women at the firm, and they hadn t had anybody from Gretna, that s for sure. She left Seale, Smith after eight years for a part-time position during a full-time attorney s maternity leave and ended up staying for a year. She then did pro bono work, including appointments for criminal cases in Judge Lou Daniel s courtroom, and spent a lot of time at the bar office. Wade Shows encouraged her to run for the Baton Rouge Bar Association s board of directors. When she told him she didn t want to be president, he replied, Barbara, it s 10 years from now, you don t have to worry about that. Baier also worked part-time at the Perry Atkinson firm for five years. She enjoyed doing the behind-the-scenes pretrial work, but it began to get routine. Then she heard about a job at the State Treasurer s Office, which is where she has worked since During the interview, when she asked for a job description, she was told, It depends on what time of day it is. After two weeks there, she realized that was an accurate description. Every day it s something different, but it s all to do with contracts and the treasurer and money going in and out, she said. Professor Paul Baier of LSU, Baier s husband, affectionately refers to her as Princess Barbara. Barbara says that she used to joke with Bill Kaufman, one of the attorneys at Seale, Smith, that one day her prince would come. When Kaufman was introduced to Paul Baier at a Christmas party, he said, Oh, so you re the prince. Paul decided immediately that Barbara was his princess, and she has carried that appellation ever since. Baier said her overall experience at SULC was a good one. She was impressed with Prof. Cynthia Picou, who I think you could put up against anybody, she said. She also found that she learned a great deal from Professor Clyde Tidwell about legal research and conflicts. But Tidwell laid it all out. It wasn t spoon feeding, but it wasn t that hide-the-ball approach. One of her favorite professors was Professor Al Tate, who taught her civil procedure. I just loved him. He taught us how to get from the parking lot to the courthouse. Baier taught civil procedure and civil litigation at the LSU Paralegal School with Jimmie Murvin, and she also taught appellate advocacy as an adjunct at LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She also heard many cases as an ad hoc Baton Rouge City Court judge, although she is now prohibited from serving as a judge while working for the Treasurer s Office. Her education at the Law Center prepared her well for practice, Baier said. Baton Rouge City Court Judge Darrell White gave her good advice: You get out of law school what you put into it. If you read the cases, study, and come to class on time, you re going to learn. Baier took that advice, she learned, and she has never let her nontraditional background stand in her way. 60thA Anniversary yi Issue e( (Winter 2008) 08) SULCR REFLECTIONS ECT 17

20 2007 HALL OF FAMERS From left, Annette Eddie-Callagain, Brace B. Godfrey, Jr., Ernest Johnson, Chris J. Roy, Jr., Judge Ethel Simms Julien, State Representative T. Taylor Townsend, and W. James Singleton, with Chancellor Freddie Pitcher, Jr. Seven Inducted into the 2007 Hall of Fame More than 200 well-wishers attended the Southern University Law Center 2007 Hall of Fame Banquet, where seven alumni, representing elected officials and community activists, were inducted March 30, in Riverside A Ballroom of the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center. The distinguished slate of inductees are Annette Eddie-Callagain, 81, of Okinawa, Japan; Brace B. Godfrey, Jr., 85, and Ernest Johnson, 76, both of Baton Rouge; Judge Ethel Simms Julien, 82, of New Orleans, Louisiana; Chris J. Roy, Jr., A.P.L.C., 87, of Alexandria, Louisiana; W. James Singleton, 73, of Shreveport, Louisiana; and State Representative T. Taylor Townsend, 89, of Natchitoches, Louisiana. New Iberia, Louisiana, native Eddie-Callagain of Annette M. Eddie- Callagain Law Office, Okinawa, Japan, is the first African American to obtain a license to practice law in Japan, the first foreign female to open her own solo private law practice in Japan, the only American civilian lawyer engaged in the solo practice of law in Japan, and the first and only foreign lawyer in Okinawa who is license to practice law in Japan. With more than 20 years of experience in the legal and legislative professions, Brace B. Godfrey, Jr. is CEO of Cyntreniks, LLP, and managing partner of Godfrey and Schneider Ltd., where he practices in the areas of business organizations and commercial law. Ernest Johnson, president of the Louisiana State Conference of NAACP branches and member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, is a civil rights attorney and ordained minister with more than 30 years of professional, leadership, and management experience in a number of high level legal, financial, education, civil, and public policy positions. Judge Ethel Simms Julien of New Orleans, Louisiana, has served on the Orleans Parish Civil District Court since she was appointed judge pro tempore by the Louisiana Supreme Court in 1993 and elected to the court in Chris J. Roy, Jr., is the owner of Chris J. Roy, Jr., Law Corporation, specializing in nursing home litigation, medical negligence, personal injury, and auto accident litigation. W. James Singleton, whose law practice is in Shreveport, Louisiana, served in the Louisiana State Legislature from 1983 to 1996 and is a former Assistant State Attorney General. State Representative T. Taylor Townsend served in the Louisiana Legislature since he was elected in Ruth Bailey Wesley, 92, of Baton Rouge and John F. K. Belton, 90, of Ruston, Louisiana, a former member of the SU Board of Supervisors, were mistress and master of ceremony for the occasion. The Hall of Fame Banquet was the closing event for the two-day Law Center 2007 Alumni Round-Up that for the first-time had a title sponsor, Liberty Bank and Trust. Bank representatives were Alden J. McDonald, president continued on next page 2007 SULC Hall of Fame Banquet Mistress of Ceremony Ruth Bailey Wesley, Baton Rouge, and Master of Ceremony John F. K. Belton, Ruston, Louisiana. 18 SULC REFLECTIONS 60th Anniversary Issue (Winter 2008)