Spring 2014

Alumni reunion attendees on the steps of the Reading Room.

Briefs

African American Alumni Reconnect, Reflect

By Amy Spooner

Dean Mark West and Kevyn Orr, ’83 Dean Mark West and Kevyn Orr, ’83
Reunion tri-chairs Saul Green, ’72, Elizabeth Campbell, ’78, and Curtis Mack, LLM ’73 Reunion tri-chairs Saul Green, ’72, Elizabeth Campbell, ’78, and Curtis Mack, LLM ’73
Serena Ross, an incoming summer starter, and Glenn Oliver, ’87 Serena Ross, an incoming summer starter, and Glenn Oliver, ’87
the Hon. Gershwin Drain, ’72, and his daughter, Shannon Salinas, ’02 the Hon. Gershwin Drain, ’72, and his daughter, Shannon Salinas, ’02
Alumni reunion attendees on the steps of the Reading Room Alumni reunion attendees on the steps of the Reading Room
Brittany Nash, a 3L, talks with alumni at Friday’s networking reception Brittany Nash, a 3L, talks with alumni at Friday’s networking reception
Butch Carpenter co-chairs Adrean Taylor and Emerson Girardeau, both 2Ls Butch Carpenter co-chairs Adrean Taylor and Emerson Girardeau, both 2Ls
Butch Carpenter Banquet attendees enjoy a pre-dinner photo op Butch Carpenter Banquet attendees enjoy a pre-dinner photo op
Godfrey Dillard, ’73, Dr. Darnell Kaigler, and Shirley Kaigler, ’75 Godfrey Dillard, ’73, Dr. Darnell Kaigler, and Shirley Kaigler, ’75
Shirley Kaigler, ’75; and Danielle Carr, ’89 Shirley Kaigler, ’75; and Danielle Carr, ’89

The excitement was palpable as alumni returned to Ann Arbor for the inaugural Michigan Law African American Alumni Reunion, March 21–23, 2014. 

The reunion coincided with Preview Weekend for admitted students and the 36th Annual Alden J. “Butch” Carpenter Scholarship Banquet, giving alumni and students opportunities to make connections, swap stories, and discuss the value of the Michigan Law experience. Exuberant former classmates reunited, some of whom hadn’t returned to campus since graduation. 

“Michigan Law is a lifelong community, and that was front and center this weekend,” said Dean Mark West. “The common experience of time spent in the Quad creates strong connections across generations of students.” 

With the theme “coming back, moving forward,” the reunion also explored ways to improve and support the recruitment and matriculation of African American students. Panel discussions focused on minority admissions at the Law School, post-civil rights era advocacy, and alternative careers. 

“Recruitment of top minority students by top-ranked law schools like Michigan is more competitive than ever,” said the Hon. Roger Gregory, ’78, in a luncheon address. 

“Our time at the Law School influenced our lives and career. Michigan cannot similarly influence other bright, young African Americans without our help.” 

Saturday night’s Butch Carpenter Banquet brought past, present, and future Michigan Law students together in an atmosphere described as “warm and zealous” by event co-chair Adrean Taylor, a 2L. 

Detroit Emergency Manager Kevin Orr, ’83, offered an engaging insider’s view of Detroit’s bankruptcy as the keynote. The event drew more than 300 people—a record turnout—and saw the scholarship fund surpass the $1 million mark. 

Said Taylor, “The significant involvement of our dedicated alumni is undoubtedly the reason the Butch Carpenter Scholarship has been maintained for 36 years and continues to exceed expectations.”

More From This Issue

Michigan Law Students walking through Detroit

Spring 2014 Cover Story

JDs in the D: Michigan Law Students Discover Detroit’s Appeal

Changing people’s perceptions of Detroit is part of the mission of JDs in the D, a volunteer group of law students. Through visits to the city, events at the Law School, and partnerships with Detroit-based organizations, JDs in the D shows law students that there are good reasons to consider living and working in Detroit after graduation. 
Dwayne Provience shaking hands

Spring 2014 Features

Imprisoned, Exonerated — and Now an “Unsecured Creditor”

Dwayne Provience spent almost a decade in prison before the Michigan Innocence Clinic at the U-M Law School won his exoneration in 2010. He filed a civil lawsuit against the city, and a settlement panel proposed a payment of $5 million. Now he's on a list of Detroit’s unsecured creditors.
Young girl hugging her father

Spring 2014 Features

Detroit Center for Family Advocacy: Keeping Families Together

The Detroit Center for Family Advocacy (CFA), founded by Vivek Sankaran, ’01, a clinical professor of law in the Law School’s Child Advocacy Law Clinic, works like this: An attorney from the center partners with a social worker and family advocate to remove legal barriers and safety risks that otherwise might cause a child to be put in the foster care system. 

Related Reading

People waving their hands excitedly in the Michigan Big Ten football stadium enjoying a reunion gathering

Fall 2022 @UMICHLAW

No Football? No Problem: Spring Reunion in the Quad

Michigan Law’s special spring Reunion invited alumni back to the Law Quad after their celebrations were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, and attendees were able to participate in a wide range of substantive programming presented by current and former faculty in the Quad.
Dr. Mary Frances Berry, PhD ’66, JD ’70, HLLD ’97

Fall 2016 @UMICHLAW

Dr. Mary Frances Berry Named 2016 Distinguished Alumna

Michigan Law has named Dr. Mary Frances Berry, PhD ’66, JD ’70, HLLD ’97, as a recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award, the Law School’s highest honor. Berry is one the nation’s leading activists for civil rights, gender equality, and social injustice. 
Reunion attendees in Honigman Auditorium

Spring 2017 @UMICHLAW

African American Alumni Reunion: Reconnecting with Classmates and Michigan Law

The second African American Alumni Reunion, held March 24–26, increased the size of 2014’s inaugural run, while retaining the same spirit of excitement to be home in the Law Quad and eagerness to stay connected.