Washburn Law Black Student Association Celebrates Black History During February
The Black Law Student Association at Washburn Law commemorated Black History Month with a series of programs "Celebrating Black History." The following events were held during the month.
On February 1, 2006, Senator Mary Groves Bland discussed "Driven to Greatness: Overcoming Life's Obstacles to Reach Your Full Potential." Senator Bland talked about her own life and how she has not allowed obstacles to stand in the way of being successful. She asserted that individuals should take an interest in their neighbors' welfare. Cultures should understand and respect one another consistently rather than just in public. Senator Bland challenged the audience to get involved in their community so it will flourish and lead to change. Each individual has a purpose and we must each determine our contribution to society.
Senator Mary Groves Bland is a retired Missouri State Senator. She was elected to the Missouri Senate in 1998 after serving 18 years in the House. Senator Bland's achievements while in the Senate include legislation dealing with the handicapped, social services, health and education. She was voted as one of Kansas City's Most Influential Persons. Senator Bland has been the recipient of many awards from various groups such as Blacks in Government, National Black Caucus of State Legislators, and the Missouri Department of Health. She is a Tony Boyland Outstanding Legislator and Chairwoman of the Board of Freedom, Inc. Senator Bland is certified as a public relations and community consultant. She also received certification in executive policy from Harvard University.
On February 10, 2006, the Honorable Gregory B. Gillis discussed "African Americans and the Criminal Justice System." Judge Gillis discussed the disparities in the large number of minorities who are incarcerated. He told the attendees that as part of the legal profession they must recognize the problems in communities in order to be better attorneys and eliminate the disparities in the criminal justice system. Judge Gillis also discussed his career as an assistant prosecutor prior to his appointment as a judge. After having served in both positions, he realizes the importance of not just understanding law, but of understanding the communities around us.
Gregory B. Gillis is an Associate Circuit Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County) in the State of Missouri. Judge Gillis was appointed by Governor Bob Holden in April of 2001. Prior to his appointment, Judge Gillis served as the Drug Court Commissioner for Jackson County, Missouri. Before his appointment as Drug Court Commissioner, Judge Gillis was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney with Jackson County for twelve years. Judge Gillis is a life long resident of Kansas City, Missouri. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia (1981) and the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Law (1984).
The Annual Poetry Slam that took place on February 14, 2006, Valentine's Day. Students and faculty shared their poetic talents via the written word and musical lyrics. Several performers recited an original poem or one of their favorites. There were also performers who displayed their poetic talent through lyrics accompanied by music. The event even included a nice surprise by Professors Jim Wadley, Lynn Goering, and Jeffrey Jackson as they introduced the audience to a song called the "Washburn Law School Blues" that could possibly be the law student anthem during final exams.
On February 15, 2006, Assistant District Attorney Timothy Dupree, Class of 2004, discussed "Trial by Fire: Diving Head First into Your Legal Career." Mr. Dupree provided insight into the life of a young attorney through first-hand testimony of the many challenges that can be faced and overcome. He told those in attendance that it is important to always work hard; a young attorney can always outsmart a veteran attorney by being well-prepared. Mr. Dupree also discussed some of the ethical dilemmas that can be faced when practicing law. In any ethical dilemma, duty to the legal profession must be kept in mind. Mr. Dupree observed that whenever a mistake is made, whether it is inside or outside the courtroom, the practitioner must learn from it and keep on going to become a better attorney.
Tim Dupree is the first African American to hold the position, Assistant Lyon County, Kansas Attorney, at the Lyon County Attorney's Office in Emporia, Kansas. Mr. Dupree received his Juris Doctorate and a Family Law Certificate from Washburn University School of Law in 2003, his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kansas in 2001 and an Associates degree from the Kansas City, Kansas Community College. Mr. Dupree received the 2005 Black Man of Distinction award from Friends of Yates, Inc.
On February 22, 2006, Dawn Nicole Patterson discussed "Paving Your Own Way," how a law degree can be used to create positive change in the community. Law school affords students the opportunity to many skills and talents, e.g., such as analytical, writing, and the ability to effectively argue. All of these skills will impact the way a student thinks long after graduation. Law students and attorneys need to bridge the gap between society and the law profession. Ms. Patterson stated, "With any community where poverty is high, unemployment is high, and dropout is high ... in any community that is just being plagued by the ills of society, we need attorneys coming out of law school that are really ready to fight for people's rights. We need attorneys that are coming out that are going to see some of the things that are going on in the world and use the skills and talents that we acquire in law school to truly make a change for those who cannot make a change themselves." By taking what is achieved in law school and reaching back into the community, attorneys can help people make a better life for themselves even if it is just to give them the information they need to make the right decision.
Dawn Nicole Patterson received both her undergraduate and law degree from Washburn University. She has also studied in England and Mexico. Following her graduation from law school, Ms. Patterson began a judicial Clerkship with the Superior Court of New Jersey in Trenton, New Jersey. She soon realized however that her calling was one of service to her community and most especially the children in her community. She went to work for the Kansas City, Missouri Public school district developing and implementing programs to ensure the success of troubled, at risk, and academically and emotionally challenged students. As a Student Discipline Officer for the district, Ms. Patterson trained personnel on the Safe Schools Act and ensured the compliance of state, federal and special education laws in disciplining students. Ms. Patterson is also an active volunteer in her community, having served as a mentor for a number of charitable and service organizations. Her most recent volunteer experience has led her to Inside Out Ministries of Kansas City, Missouri. Ms. Patterson is also a talented writer and a published author.
On February 27, 2006, Dr. Carmaletta Williams presented "Free Did Not Mean Welcome," a discussion about the establishment of Kansas as a free state and the role that African Americans played. Dr. Williams talked about the true reality and repercussions of The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. The Act allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. Kansas chose to be a free state and to not tolerate explicit slavery within its borders. However, implicitly Kansas did not want freed slaves within its borders. As a result, freed slaves faced many obstacles in the state.
Dr. Carmaletta M. Williams is a Professor of English at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a doctorate from the University of Kansas. She has won a number of distinguished teaching awards including the Burlington Northern-Sante Fe Faculty Achievement Award, two Distinguished Service Awards from Johnson County Community College, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's Kansas Professor of the Year, and the League for Innovation's Innovation of the Year award for her videotape entitled: "Sankofa: My Journey Home," about her Fulbright-Hays Award study in Ghana, West Africa. Dr. Williams traveled to Guinea, West Africa where she established a faculty exchange between L'Ecole Nationale de Poste et Telecommunications and Johnson County Community College. She recently spent a month in South Africa interviewing citizens about their experiences during and post-apartheid.
(Posted March 1, 2006; updated March 13, 2006)
