School of Law : Alumni Weekend Offers Chance to Serve Others
Alumni Weekend Offers Chance to Serve Others
Alumni Weekend is more than a time for graduates to celebrate the time they spent at the University of Dayton School of Law. Alumni also honor their commitment to community with a service project designed to put the university’s Catholic, Marianist philosophy into practice.
This year, volunteers will work on Saturday morning, May 19, at Daybreak, a shelter in downtown Dayton for homeless and runaway youth. Daybreak operates a 24-hour crisis hotline and emergency youth shelter as well as outreach, prevention, transitional housing, life-skills education, and other follow-up services for runaway, throwaway and homeless youth.
Mike Ledbetter ’97, who organizes the community service project each year, said the activity has developed camaraderie and sense of teamwork among the alumni, faculty and students who volunteer.
“It is a pleasure to work with fellow UDSL graduates, students and staff to assist those who are struggling in life,” Ledbetter said. “We also believe the project is consistent with the university’s continuing efforts to build a community of faith.”
Another ’97 graduate, Jeff Rezabek, participates in the service project every year and encouraged others to volunteer. “I love helping our community and believe that it is important to give back to our communities,” he said. “What better way then to do it than on reunion weekend, where you have the opportunity to work on the project with alumni, current law students and professors.”
Plenty of Other Activities Planned
In addition to the community service project, Alumni Weekend will include a CLE program, the Alumni Reception and Dinner, and two new events: an informal reception on May 18 and an after-dinner gathering on May 19.
This year’s Alumni Weekend festivities kick off with one of those new events: an informal reception with Dean Paul E. McGreal on Friday evening, May 18, at America’s Packard Museum, in downtown Dayton. Milano’s will cater the reception.
The weekend continues on Saturday, May 19, with a CLE program in Keller Hall. The program, offering three hours of CLE credit, will include three presentations:
- “Ethics” by Hon. Walter H. Rice
- “Professionalism” by Dean McGreal
- “Substance Abuse” by assistant professor Sam Han
The weekend concludes that evening with special class receptions and an Alumni Dinner, in Keller Hall. Special receptions will be held for the Classes of 1977, ’82, ’87, ’92, ’97, ’02 and ’07. An all-class reception, for people not in those classes, will also be held. Musical entertainment will be provided by a steel-drum band.
The Distinguished Alumni Award, Honorable Walter H. Rice Honorary Alumni Award, Francis J. Conte Special Service Award and Steven E. Yuhas Special Service Award will be presented during dinner.
Free childcare is provided during the receptions and dinner.
During the class receptions and dinner, the Alumni Association will host the Public Interest Law Auction to raise funds to support students performing pro bono work.
Those who want more time to visit with their classmates may stay for an after-dinner gathering featuring music and refreshments on the Keller Hall East Lawn.
The complete schedule and registration information is available on our Alumni Weekend webpage.