Washburn University School of Law Alumni Association
As my two-year term as president of the Washburn University School of Law Alumni Association gets under way, it has been impossible for me to avoid thinking of the amazing changes that have occurred during these many years since I graduated. When I began my studies at Washburn Law in the summer of 1965, the school's enrollment was 149, led by Dean John Howe, one librarian, eight full-time professors, and 20 adjunct lecturers. The school was housed in the small Carnegie building.
A year later, Carnegie was gone with the wind and replaced by eight trailers, which were later replaced by our present-day building in 1969. While today's building has undergone substantial additions in 1978 and 1992, plus several remodeling projects over the years, it now appears to be at peak capacity. This poses a serious concern.
This fall the law school welcomed an entering class of 169 students, thereby bringing the total number of law students to 453. The faculty and staff consists of Dean Thomas J. Romig, three associate deans, 34 full-time and visiting professors, eight librarians, more than 50 adjunct instructors, and 36 staff members. The breadth and depth of the course offerings, Clinic, Centers for Excellence, and other programs are staggering. And, the faculty is now continuously engaged in a strategic planning process to develop and implement improvements in every aspect of the law school's programming.
The history of Washburn has been a story of challenges met and challenges overcome. The limitations of the present building offer yet another challenge. The university has completed a year-long strategic planning process, and one of the principal conclusions is the need to examine how to improve the facilities for the law school. Many of us rightfully share a great debt of gratitude to the law school because of the impact it has had on our lives, and the opportunity to repay what we can of that debt is approaching.
Financial support is only one of many ways the alumni can support and participate in the law school's long-term growth and development. You are invited to learn more about those opportunities by contacting Carolyn Barnes, director of Alumni Services at (785) 670-2013 or carolyn.barnes [at] washburn.edu.
Sincerely,
Winton M. Hinkle, '68
President, Washburn University School of Law Alumni Association
