School of Law Wraps Up Campaign in Style

Valparaiso University’s School of Law concluded its $10 million Building Connections campaign in festive fashion in May with a gala honoring its many generous alumni and friends.

Retired Chicago Cubs baseball player Ryne Sandberg delivers the keynote address at the Valpo Law Building Connections campaign gala in May. Alumni and friends gathered at Pazzo's Restaurant in Chicago to celebrate the successful conclusion of the $10 million campaign.

Following the tradition of the school’s 125th anniversary gala two years ago, the event featured a gourmet dinner, music and dancing. The site was Pazzo’s Restaurant in Chicago, which offered spectacular views of the Sears Tower through its glass ceiling.

Ryne Sandberg, retired Chicago Cubs baseball player and 2005 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, delivered the keynote speech, which focused on respecting one’s ability and seizing opportunity.

“The opportunity that may present itself doesn’t necessarily have to make you a Hall of Fame trial lawyer, a first ballot judge, a silver slugger of a prosecutor, or a gold glove defender,” Sandberg said. “Maybe you were meant to be an all-star father, mother, friend, or a volunteer. Maybe you were supposed to be a teacher or a politician or a lawyer who protects those who can’t protect themselves. ... Success is measured in many ways, but when you look back on your life, I think you’ll find that people who had the best lives are people who have managed to smile the most and be happy most often.”

Begun in July of 2002, the Building Connections campaign is the School of Law’s first comprehensive campaign. Among its achievements:

• The establishment of three endowed faculty chairs: the Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Chair in Law; the Herbert F. Stride Chair in Law; and the Michael and Dianne Swygert Law Faculty Fellows Program.
  
• Increased and improved educational programs and services for students, including career planning, legal research and writing, and clinics.
  
• New student scholarships with diverse selection criteria, including: professional and ethical responsibility, academic achievement, and financial need.
  
• Received initial funding to begin planning for the eventual renovation of Heritage Hall, the oldest remaining building from the original 19th century Valparaiso University campus. Heritage Hall currently houses the law clinic, where students supervised by faculty represent indigent clients in a variety of practices. Fundraising for the hall continues.
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