SAMFORD UNIVERSITY / FALL 2021 / ALUMNI MAGAZINE
From the Dean: Writing a New Chapter
I announced in June that I will step down as the dean of Cumberland School of Law after the 2021-2022 academic year. A search committee will soon be in place and the search for Cumberland's next dean will be under way.
I think the time is right for this transition. The pandemic disrupted not only our usual operations but also work on our strategic plan. Now, with a new university president in place, the time is right for the law school to revise the plan or develop a new one. It makes sense for a new dean to lead that process. Thanks to the hard work of our faculty and staff, the law school’s enrollment and finances are in a solid place to provide a foundation as we write with the new dean the next chapter in Cumberland’s storied history.
Working with our dedicated faculty, staff, and alumni to serve the students at Cumberland School of Law has been my privilege and honor for the last 33 years. It has been humbling and rewarding to serve as dean with faculty and staff who are so very talented, hardworking, and passionately committed to helping our students succeed and with alumni who are so accomplished and loyal to the law school. I treasure the relationships we built along the way.
Although my service as dean will end, I will continue teaching at Cumberland. I look forward to working with you and the new dean to pursue the law school’s mission with another generation of successful Cumberland lawyers: “To educate a diverse community of students with knowledge and practical skills, equipping them to become highly competent, ethical lawyers committed to professionalism and public service."
Henry C. Strickland III
Dean and Ethel P. Malugen Professor of Law
Dean and Ethel P. Malugen Professor of Law
2021 Distinguished Alumni Awards
In this edition of Cumberland Lawyer, we recognize our accomplished alumni through our Distinguished Alumni Awards.
This year’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year is Senator Doug Jones ’79, the Young Alumna of the Year is LaMonica Orr-Love ’08 (pictured left), the Volunteer of the Year is the Honorable Anne Lamkin Durward ’95, and our Friend of Cumberland award goes to our beloved Professor Howard P. Walthall.
Learn more about their extraordinary careers and exemplary service.
Alumnus Profile: Clark Gillespy ’87
Clark Gillespy ’87 is the global head of Google’s Data Center for Economic and Community Development. In this profile, he reflects on his international career while aiming to acquaint law students with career possibilities outside of law firms, both supported by a solid legal education from Cumberland School of Law.
Celebrating 175 Years of Cumberland School of Law
Founded in 1847, Cumberland School of Law has been a leader in legal education for a momentous 175 years. Share your Cumberland School of Law story with us and support the next generation of Cumberland lawyers here.
