2008-2009 Dean's Report - Cumberland School of Law - Samford ...

A Word from
the Dean
This has been an interesting year, no
doubt about that. When the downturn in the
economy affected Samford University, Cumberland
experienced a budget cut along with the rest of
the University. We all have tightened our belts
and reviewed our budget items, and thanks to the
help of donors like you, we have not had to cut
scholarship awards or student related programs.
This Report is an accumulated account of all the
gifts that have been received during the 2008-2009
fiscal year (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009).
Gifts received since July 1, 2009 will be reported
next fall. During this year we have created three
new funds. The Russell Q. and Lindsey J. Allison
Scholarship was created by the law firm of Carr
Allison in recognition of the twenty fifth anniversary
of their graduation from Cumberland. I announced
the establishment of the fund at the Class of 1984
Reunion Party in March. The Montgomery firm of
Beasley, Allen, Methvin, Portis & Miles established
the Beasley Allen Public Interest Fellows
Fund to assist students involved in the Summer
Public Interest Stipend Program sponsored by
Cumberland. Al Shumaker ’65 created a charitable
remainder trust which, at maturity, will fund the
Albert and Miriam Shumaker Scholarship.
We are extremely grateful for all the generous
gifts that have allowed us to thus weather this
economic storm. As our fine faculty work to mold
the lawyers of tomorrow, we cannot afford to make
any concessions in the quality of the educational
experience we provide our students. We have all
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been blessed by the education we received at
Cumberland, and it is our responsibility to give
back. I ask for your continued support in the years
to come.
The faculty members of Cumberland School of Law
are rare gems, caring deeply about the students
and providing a first class education. They bring
national recognition to the law school through
their talent in the classroom, and international
recognition thanks to their scholarly contributions
to the academic arena. This past year alone, our
faculty spoke and led conferences in Brazil, Canada
and India in addition to a number of engagements
throughout the states. Many of their articles were
published and presented in forums across the
country, and three books authored by Cumberland
faculty members were published. The Harwell G.
Davis Chair of Constitutional Law was created
as the result of a gift from the estate of alumna
Elizabeth (Betty) Davis Eshelman ’64. In September,
David Smolin was invested as the Davis Professor
of Constitutional Law. Smolin has been a professor
of law at Cumberland since 1987.
In August we were all saddened by the death of
former dean Arthur A. Weeks. He was a legend
among the Cumberland family whose contributions
to this institution will be forever appreciated and
recognized. Please take time to read more about
his life and work with Cumberland highlighted on
page 6.
Many Cumberland students realize that practical
legal experience gained during law school will be
beneficial to their future job prospects. As a result,
Cumberland experienced a record number of