news briefs
Green Hall classrooms get facelift The Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP Lecture Hall at the University of Kansas School of Law got a facelift this summer.
Justice Fred Six, L’56, and the Hon. Jan Karlin, L’80
Alumni ‘Return to Green’ for spring 2008 CLE About 120 KU Law alumni learned about a variety of issues they might encounter as practicing attorneys during the inaugural spring CLE, “A Return to Green.” The program, on April 4 at Green Hall, included the following presentations: n “What’s new in Bankruptcy Court since BAPCPA: For Those Who Do Not Have the Good Fortune to Spend Much Time There!” by the Hon. Janice Karlin, L’80, U.S. bankruptcy judge for the District of Kansas. n “Recent Kansas and Missouri Decisions” by Justice Carol Beier, L’85, Kansas Supreme Court; and the Hon. Thomas Clark, L’64, circuit court judge, Missouri.
Thanks to generous support from the law firm, the first-floor classroom and venue for public lectures underwent a complete cosmetic transformation: new paint, new carpet, new blinds, new desktops, new chairs, new whiteboard. Windows were even installed in the previously solid doors to allow visual access. “Because of the generosity of the firm, we were able to improve the learning environment for students and the public,” said Crystal Mai, associate dean for administration, who oversaw the renovation project. “Securing funds for classroom renovations and other building projects isn’t always easy, but we couldn’t exist without the building, classrooms and infrastructure. We’re grateful to the firm for its support.” The desks and chairs were original to Green Hall, which opened to students in
1977. They had worn well, but worn they were – and dated, too. The carpet, paint and blinds had last been updated a decade ago as part of a legislative appropriation for “crumbling classrooms.” Colors and materials in the renovated lecture hall (Room 104) were chosen with a richer palette in mind. Off-white desktops with wooden trim were replaced with solid surface desktops in Sonora Granite. The walls got a fresh coat of Kilim Beige paint, and the wall panels were reupholstered in Bleu Papier. New black armless chairs with flexible back supports rest on Bigelow carpet in Cool Gray. The school made similar upgrades to Room 107, another classroom. The library, two classrooms and a conference room have been named after firms or alumni who have donated funds that allow the school to upgrade the rooms and support other law school activities. Naming opportunities are still available.
n “Immigration – The Civil Rights Issue of the Decade” by Angela Ferguson, L’86, partner, Austin & Ferguson, Kansas City, Mo. n “Special Responsibility for the Quality of Justice” by David Gottlieb, professor of law, University of Kansas School of Law. n “The Best of Ethics for Good” by the Hon. Steve Leben, L’82, Kansas Court of Appeals judge; Stan Davis, L’82, partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Kansas City, Mo.; and Mark Hinderks, L’82, partner, Stinson Morrison Hecker, Kansas City, Mo. The second annual “Return to Green” CLE is tentatively scheduled for April 3, 2009.
KU LAW MAGAZINE 13