FACULTY NEWS
Dean Moran Appointed to Key Administrative Post
Rachel F. Moran
PResident oBama aPPointed dean Rachel F. moRan, Michael J. Connell distinguished professor of law, to serve as a member of the Permanent Committee for the Oliver Wendell Holmes Devise. The committee was established by Congress in 1955 to administer funds bequeathed to the government by the late Justice Holmes. It is charged with sponsoring an annual lecture or series of lectures and with directing the ongoing development of a multivolume history of the U.S. Supreme Court that comprehensively treats the development of the Court from its origins to the present. Pre-eminent scholars in U.S. legal history are commissioned to write the volumes, which stand as major works of reference about the court.
Pavel Wonsowicz Honored with Rutter Award for Excellence in Teaching Pavel WonsoWicz, director of UCLA School of Law’s Academic Support Program, was honored with the 2012 Rutter Award for Excellence in Teaching at the 33rd Rutter Award Presentation Ceremony in April. The award, established by William “Bill” Rutter, is presented annually to a professor who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to teaching. “Anyone who has taken a course from Professor Wonsowicz or observed his class can attest that he is someone who deeply and passionately cares about teaching,” said Dean Rachel F. Moran. “He presents difficult material with great clarity and humor.” Professor Wonsowicz, who joined the law school faculty in 2008, teaches Evidence and Constitutional Law I. After accepting the award, he spoke briefly about his journey as a teacher and the lessons he learned from his father. Professor Wonsowicz emphasized that a teacher should impart knowledge with passion, humor and respect. As he concluded his speech, Professor Wonsowicz announced that he would be donating part of the Rutter Award proceeds to the Law Fellows Program.
Pavel Wonsowicz with his daughter and students
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| UCLA LAW MAGAZINE
In Memoriam William (Bill) RutteR, a creative entrepreneur and a dear friend of UCLA Law, passed away in February. Bill made numerous contributions to legal education. He is the father of Gilbert’s Outlines, conceiving and writing all of the original summaries. He created and managed for many years the leading bar review course in the state. He formed the highly successful Rutter Group, which he sold to West Publishing Co. and which provides high-quality educational materials and seminars for practicing lawyers. While these accomplishments are significant, the contribution we hold most dear is the creation of the Rutter Award for Excellence in Teaching. Bill, who attended the law school’s Rutter Award ceremony every year, believed that universities must reward excellent teaching as they do critical research. Established in 1979, the award recognizes and honors outstanding commitment to teaching at five law schools – Bill’s alma mater, USC, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Hastings and UCLA. Bill shared our passion for exceptional teaching, and we are privileged to benefit from his generosity. We are deeply grateful to Bill for creating this wonderful way of showcasing and celebrating our exceptional professors. The award has become not only a symbol of recognition, but also an opportunity to celebrate our success as one of the greatest teaching faculties in legal education. Bill is survived by his wife of many years, Sally, their son Paul ’78, as well as a large and loving family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bill was a stalwart member of our UCLA Law family, and our condolences go out to all of the Rutter family.