Community Celebrates Building Dedication
The Dedication of the School of Law Building was held on October 5 with approximately 800 faculty, students, staff and friends gathered on the lawn to celebrate the historic occasion. The Law School Faculty processed from Garey Hall to the new building, bringing with them symbolic items representing the Law School's rich traditions. Members of the procession carried among other artifacts: the letter from the Pennsylvania Bar Examiners provisionally approving the Law School; the first edition of the Villanova Law Review; a photograph of the first class; a copy of Blackstone's Commentaries that was shelved in the original library; the 2009 Public Interest Auction program and the football used in the annual Moot Court vs. Law Review game.
"We wanted to find a way to honor our time in Garey Hall, which served us well for so many years and where more than 9,000 men and women became Villanova lawyers," explained Doris DelTosto Brogan '81, Acting Dean.
Speaking to more than 800 gathered in front of the new building, The Reverend Peter M. Donohue, President, Villanova University; Acting Dean Brogan; Herbert F. Aspbury, Chair, Villanova University Board of Trustees; and Joseph V. DelRaso '83, Chair, Villanova University School of Law Board of Consultors welcomed guests and delivered dedication remarks. Master of Ceremonies John Y. Gotanda, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, read a letter of congratulations from Edward G. Rendell '68 Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Very Reverend Donald Francis Reilly, O.S.A., Prior Provincial, Order of St. Augustine, Eastern Province, led the rite of dedication and blessing accompanied by representatives of the Law school faculty, staff, students and alumni.
A reception and tours of the building followed the ceremony.
