Topeka, Kan. – The Washburn University School of Law cut the ribbon on its new state-of-the-art building today, joined by federal, state and local officials, Sen. Robert Dole’s daughter, Robin Dole, and hundreds of alumni and friends.
The building, known as Robert J. Dole Hall, has 65,000 square feet of space, is designed to fit the needs of the changing legal curriculum, and is equipped with technology to train lawyers who are practice ready.
“Because of our distinguished alumni and our excellent faculty, Washburn Law has become known for a brand of legal education that emphasizes practical experience, civic engagement, and high standards of integrity and professionalism,” said JuliAnn Mazachek, president, Washburn University. “Today, as we open this building, we celebrate not only our strong legacy, but the future for Washburn Law and the potential this new building creates for the legal community.”
The building boasts appellate and trial courtrooms, an 11,000 square-foot library, and a law clinic for students to gain valuable practice while serving the community. The building also honors the prominent historical figures who have graduated from Washburn Law including a mural of the lawyers who took the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case to the Supreme Court and an outdoor plaza also honoring Dole, ba ’52, jd ’52, H ’69, H ’85, former majority leader of the U.S. Senate and Republican nominee for president.
“Today marks an exciting new chapter in the history of Washburn Law, and the beginning of a new era for all of us who are a part of the Washburn Law family,” said Jeffrey Jackson, bba ’89, jd ’92, interim dean, Washburn Law. “The new law school is a state-of-the-art learning environment that will provide a cooperative and collaborative space for students to pursue their legal education.”
More than 1,200 donors contributed more than $14 million to the largest capital project in Washburn University’s history.
“This campaign was successful because of the donors who continued to cheer the project on, shared a vision for how a great law school building could advance the legal community, and stepped up to make significant contributions,” said Marshall Meek, mba ’17, president, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation. “We thank them for their generosity, thoughtfulness, and continued partnership in making the law school the best it can be.”
-30-
About the Washburn University School of Law
Washburn University School of Law was founded in 1903 with 41 students enrolled in the first class. Almost 120 years later, its worldwide network of more than 7,000 alumni includes nationally recognized lawyers, state and federal judges, Kansas Supreme Court justices, politicians, television journalists and senior executives of Fortune 500 companies and national legal associations. Washburn Law’s tradition of excellence in teaching is enhanced by its six Centers for Excellence: the Business and Transactional Law Center, the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, the Center for Law and Government, the Children and Family Law Center, the International and Comparative Law Center, and the Oil and Gas Law Center. For more information about Washburn Law, visit www.washburnlaw.edu.
