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Cumberland School of Law Celebrated
50th Anniversary at Samford University
John Dugger, a member of the Class of 1987, caught up
with his former contracts professor, Brad Bishop. “I still
remember how hard that contracts course was, but
Professor Bishop was a great teacher,” said Dugger, now a
criminal court judge in east Tennessee. “He taught me
well.”
For many, the day did not end on campus. That evening,
the classes of ‘72, ‘77, ‘82, ‘87, ‘92, ‘97, ‘02, and ‘07, held
reunion parties all over town. And, the second Cumberland black
alumni reunion, including our BLSA student members, was held.
e-News News •
April 25, 2012
SPECIAL EDITION • 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
here is nothing like company visiting to inspire spring cleaning!
T The fountain was cleaned, the trophies were dusted (and there
are a lot), carpet in the moot courtroom replaced and the floors were
buffed. Students cleaned their respective organization offices and
history boards were placed in the second floor hall.
On Saturday, April 14th, we were ready and excited to welcome
several hundred alumni from all over the nation. It was truly a
pleasure for the Deans, students, faculty and staff to host the 50 th
anniversary celebration at Cumberland School of Law for all alumni,
their families and special friends of the school. Mother Nature
graced us with near perfect weather and guests enjoyed eating from
“gourmet” food trucks parked on the Martha F. and Albert P. Brewer
Plaza. Alumni from seven decades gathered to reunite and
reminisce. It was a
beautiful day all
around.
Mike Rasmussen ‘75, Dean Parham Williams,
Polly Williams & Judge Sharon Blackburn ‘77

Judge Bobby Aderholt, Dean John Carroll ‘74,
Congressman Robert Aderholt ‘90,
Mrs. Mary Frances Aderholt
Graduate Sam Kennedy ‘50
with his daughter and
granddaughter
Golden Graduate Breakfast
he day commenced with a “Golden Graduate” breakfast for those who
T graduated prior to 1972, and to specifically honor the Class of 1962,
whose members were celebrating their 50 th reunion. Judge Julian Mann III
’74, passed a golden baton to Judge Bobby Aderholt who attended Cumberland
while it was in Lebanon, Tennessee and then taught at the law school in
the early 1960s. This symbolic gesture reflected Cumberland’s move to
Birmingham and gratitude to Judge Aderholt in teaching a new generation of
Cumberland lawyers.
Five members from the Class of 1962 reunited and thoroughly
enjoyed telling stories about their time in law school. Mr.
Sam Kennedy ’50 graduated from the Lebanon, Tennessee
campus and it was wonderful to have him as our guest.
MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 1962
Roger Smith, John “Jack” Bomar, Judge Saul Perdomo,
Stanley Kupiszewski and Jerry Cruse with
Anne Marovich, Director of Alumni Relations
Judge J. Mann ‘74, Alston Keith ‘69, Judge Newman Brock ‘70,
Alva Caine ‘69 and John Martin ‘70
Commissioner Stephen Kupiszewski ‘90, Mrs. Phyllis Kupiszewski and Mr. Stanley Kupiszewski, Jr. ‘62
Kupiszewski ‘90, Supreme Court Commissioner in Maricopa, AZ, flew in for the weekend to surprise
his father for the celebration.
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Faculty & Staff
Reception
Friendship Room
Beeson Law Library
While graduates were exploring the law school and law library, former and current faculty and staff had a chance to
catch up with each other in the Friendship Room of the Law Library during a reception just for them.
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n the Great Room, professors and authors David J. Langum and Howard P.
I Walthall signed copies of their book From Maverick to Mainstream, Cumberland
School of Law, 1847 to 1997. This book is a fascinating and detailed historical
account of the birth and growth of
Cumberland School of Law, including
significant issues and concerns
surrounding its move to Birmingham.
Also for purchase, was Professor
Frank Donaldson’s book Glimpses of an Abundant Life. Professor
Donaldson taught at Cumberland School of Law for 43 years, and this
book is a collection of memoirs and stories about his life.
Both books are available
to purchase. If you
would like to request
one, please call the
Office of Alumni Relations
at 205.726.2444.
From Maverick to Mainstream
Professors David Langum & Howard Walthall
Historical Exhibits in the Great Room
Thank You to the Women in Law Student Organization
O n display, were some “pictures from the past” and historical
issues of The Cumberland Lawyer. The Women In Law student
organization, researched distinguished female alumnae and created
a “family tree” featuring some of these graduates. Biographies of
the women were available for guests to take with them.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND SCHOOL OF LAW
rofessor Howard Walthall presented a short,
P animated history of the law school and its
influential players over the years. He shared the
story of Rascal, a dog who in the 1930s lived in
Lebanon, Tennessee and was awarded the degree of
canine jurisprudence as part of the Class of 1935.
Third Floor Courtroom Named During
50th Anniversary Celebration
Scott Powell ‘78
ean John Carroll announced a significant gift by Hare, Wynn, Newell &
D Newton, to rename the third floor state of the art trial courtroom. The newly
named Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton Advanced Advocacy Courtroom recognizes
the strong relationship among the law school, the Birmingham law firm and
Cumberland alumni who have served the firm and law school for many years, said
Dean Carroll.
Currently, eight partners and one associate at the firm, now in its second century,
received their legal education at Cumberland. Many colleagues have helped lead
the school’s advocacy training to national prominence that includes U. S. News &
World Report consistently ranking Cumberland’s trial advocacy trial program
among the top five in the country. Scott Powell ’78 spoke on behalf of the firm.
DR. ANDREW WESTMORELAND, DEAN PARHAM WILLIAMS & JUDGE JOHN CARROLL
Dr. Andrew Westmoreland,
President of Samford
University, stressed the high
value of the Cumberland
School of Law to the University
community.
Dean Parham Williams
commented on the special
attributes of Cumberland
School of Law, its students,
graduates and his time as
Dean of the law school.
Professor Howard Walthall
Judge John Carroll ’74,
Dean of Cumberland School
of Law, repeated his pride in
the ability to call himself a
“Cumberland Lawyer.”
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Awards
onorees included: the late Jere F. White, Jr., recognized posthumously as 2012 Distinguished Alumnus
H of the Year; Latanishia D. Watters, Young Alumna of the Year; and James N. Lewis, Jr., Friend of
the Law School.
Jere F. White, Jr.
2012 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year
Jere F. White, Jr., a 1980 cum laude graduate, was a former member of Bradley Arant
LLC law firm and a founding member of Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC, both in
Birmingham. A member of the Cumberland board of advisors, he established the Jere
White Fellows Program at the law school to identify, nurture and encourage outstanding
students who have a passion for the law as an avenue of service.
He died in October, 2011, of cancer, after a 30-year law career during which he handled
civil cases of all types in state and federal courts in Alabama and throughout the United
States. A Georgia native, he was a graduate of the University of Georgia.
White's widow, Lyda White, and son, Bennett White, accepted his award.
2012 Young Alumna of the Year
Latanishia D, Watters, a 2001 Cumberland graduate, is a partner in the
Birmingham law firm of Haskell Slaughter. Her commercial litigation
practice crosses a spectrum of specialized areas. A graduate of the Leadership
Birmingham Class of 2010 and a past president of the Magic City Bar
Association, she has also held various national leadership positions. Most
recently, she was elected 2010-2011 assembly clerk of the American Bar
Association Young Lawyers Division.
She has given local leadership to American Cancer Society and Girls, Inc., of
Central Alabama. A Mobile, Ala., native and 1998 graduate of Millsaps
College, Watters also holds a master of business administration degree from Samford.
James N. Lewis, Jr.
and Dean John Carroll
Dean Carroll presented awards to individuals for outstanding
achievement and service in a variety of alumni,
administration and teaching capacities.
2012 Friend of the Law School
Latanishia D. Watters
and Dean John Carroll
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James N. Lewis, Jr. retired in February as vice dean of development and
administration at Cumberland after serving Samford for 25 years. He holds a
bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University, master's and Ph.D. degrees from
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a master of business administration
degree from Emory University.
In receiving the law school honor, he was cited for his acceptance of jobs big and
small with contemplation, professionalism and good humor, his calming
demeanor, and the relationships he developed with alumni and others during his
tenure at Cumberland.
Awards continued on next page

Five Cumberland faculty members were cited for outstanding service to the law school.
2012 Harvey S. Jackson Excellence in Teaching Award
ddie Jackson ‘76 and Richard Fikes ‘85 endowed the Harvey S. Jackson Excellence in Teaching Award to
E allow the law school to recognize members of the law school faculty for their teaching excellence. A joint
faculty-student committee selects the recipients of the award.
The 2012 Harvey S. Jackson Award for Excellence in Teaching went to Henry "Corky" Strickland for his
instruction of first-year law students; and to William G. Ross and Herman "Rusty" Johnson for their
service in upper level classes.
Professor Corky Strickland Professor William Ross Professor Rusty Johnson
2012 Lightfoot, Franklin & White
Faculty Scholarship Award
he Lightfoot, Franklin & White law firm, under the leadership of Jere White
T ‘80, endowed an award for faculty scholarship. The award allows the law
school to recognize faculty members who have published the most significant
scholarly work over the past year. The award is selected by a committee
composed of faculty and a member of the Lightfoot, Franklin & White firm.
The 2012 Lightfoot, Franklin & White Faculty Scholarship Award went to junior
faculty member Woodrow Hartzog ‘02 and senior faculty member David M.
Smolin.
Professor Woodrow Hartzog Professor David Smolin
JUSTICE AND MERCY
By Sculptor Glynn Acree
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Cumberland Top Gun Representative
umberland has been invited to send their top student advocate to participate in the Baylor Law School
C Top Gun National Mock Trial Competition. To determine our Top Gun representative, a competition was
held on Saturday during the 50 th Anniversary Celebration.
In the preliminary rounds on Saturday morning, Michael Eldridge competed against Setara Foster and Todd
Buchanan competed against Brittany Stancombe. In very close matches, Michael and Brittany advanced to
the afternoon final round. In what was described as a “photo finish” Brittany has been selected as our Top
Gun. She will be competing at Baylor June 6-10, 2012.
Thank you to all the Samford and Cumberland students that served as witnesses: Heidi Abbott, Laura Allen,
Barrett Atkins, Katie Beall, Ben Carpenter, Joe Clark, Elizabeth Mathis, Rory McKean, Zack Meltzer, Cline
Thompson, Hannah Torbert, and Amanda Wendenburg.
Special thank you to our judges: Allen Baker ‘73, Angela Debro ‘94, Mark Debro ‘99, Lucas Griffin ‘09, Judge
Julian Mann ‘74, Bob MacKenzie ‘84, Ashley Reitz Peinhardt ‘10, and Chris Wooten ‘08.
Are You Smarter Than
a Law Student?
rofessor Belle Stoddard ‘78 donned a blonde wig and pink coat, transformed
P into Belle “Woods” and hosted the game “Are You Smarter Than a Law
Student?” Professor Stoddard deserves an Emmy for her performance in this role!
It was alumni vs. students in this trivia game. Who won? Not our alumni! The
students prevailed over alumni Desmond Tobias ‘87, Latanishia Watters ‘01,
Commissioner Kupiszewski ‘90 and Monica Fischer ‘07.
Professor Belle Stoddard
as game host Belle “Woods”
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50th Anniversary Celebration • April 14, 2012 • Cumberland School of Law
View or Order Photographs Here:
http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/SamfordPhotos/lawschool50thanniversary
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Thank you to the following graduates who volunteered to organize
their class reunion party this year:
1972: Richard Cater and David Barber
1977: George (Jack) Neal, Carol Sue Nelson, Carol Keys, and Steve Heninger
1982: Lynn Baxley Ault, Linda S. Perry, Sarah (Sally) Clark Bowers, Keith Veigas, Jr.
1987: Anthony (Butch) Berry, Jeannie Bennett Cole, Hon. Lori Collier Ingram, Timothy Garner, M.
Teresa Harris, Alicia Haynes, Jason P. Knight, Jim Oros, Jr., Phillip W. McCallum, Blaine A.
Moore, David J. Rutledge, Thomas Willingham, and Desmond Tobias
1992: William (Beau) Byrd II, William Dyer, Leslie (Les) Ennis, Christine C. Gill, Sherrie McKenzie
1997: Jenelle Evans, Julie D. Pearce, Barry Walker
2002: James Garts III, J. Vincent Swiney II
2007: Gwen Arendall, Michelle Butler, Monica Fischer, W. M. Bains Fleming III, Charles Greene,
Katie Taylor, D. Louise Walsky, Margie Younce Williams, Randall Woodfin
The following firms generously sponsored reunion parties and kept costs down:
Winston Cooks LLC (Rodney Cooks)
Miller, Christie & Kinney PC
Freedom Court Reporting
Significant gratitude is expressed to the many students representing the
Student Bar Association, the Black Law Students Association, Class Officers, the
Alumni Relations Student Board and other students who volunteered their time
to organize and facilitate the 50 th anniversary celebration.
In conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration, an article about the
Cumberland School of Law was featured in The Birmingham News on April 8, 2012.
You may read it online here.
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