Colorado Law Alumni,
When I wrote to you in the fall Amicus, my theme was thoughts in a time of transition. We have moved through that transition, although not necessarily in ways anyone could have predicted.
The law school has gone from virtual to in-person classes with masks and some accommodations. In addition, the devastating Marshall Fire has impacted many, including students, faculty, staff, and members of our alumni legal community.
Most at CU and in the legal profession are vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, as they should be. And it looks like we might be ready to move to a different kind of 鈥渘ormal鈥� (notice I didn鈥檛 call it the shopworn 鈥渘ew normal鈥�).
As we emerge into this new period and look toward spring, I believe it makes sense to talk about how you can get involved in the Colorado Law activities that give you joy and hope.
First, our Colorado Law Alumni Awards Banquet took place on March 10, 2022, at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. After two years on Zoom, this year鈥檚 event was held in person with a hybrid option for those who felt more comfortable joining us remotely. This year, with your support, we raised $130,000* for student scholarships, programs, and initiatives consistent with the University of Colorado Law School鈥檚 vision and mission, and had over 480 registrants.
Other ways to get involved include joining in our alumni fundraising effort. Alumni giving dropped from 20% in 2017 to just 11% in 2021. The Law Alumni Board has taken the lead in reversing that trend, and I can report that every member has contributed in fiscal year 2021 and we are on our way to achieve that again in fiscal year 2022. You can do the same. While large gifts are appreciated, of course, any contribution is important. I believe the key is to see that all develop a habit of giving each year. I started giving $50 each year to the Professor William J. Bowe scholarship and kept that up so that years later, when I could do more, I did so.
Finally, there are many more ways to contribute to our law school community. For example, become a Law Alumni Ambassador, host or attend a Colorado Law Talk or alumni event by contacting lawalumni@colorado.edu, or mentor a law student. For more information about mentoring, please contact Alexia McCaskill, senior director for professional development, at alexia.mccaskill@colorado.edu. Also, you can nominate next year鈥檚 award recipients. Award descriptions and an online nomination form are available at colorado.edu/law/award-nomination.
We have come a long way since the fall of 2021, but we have much left to do. With the leadership of Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss and her wonderful team of professionals, we can accomplish great things and continue to support Colorado Law as a preeminent public law school.
David Stark
*75% of the net proceeds will benefit the Dean's Fund for Excellence and 25% of the net proceeds will benefit the Law Alumni Scholarship Fund.