Alumni Graduate Dinner Features Awards and Salute to Class of 2008
May 20, 2008 -- More than 325 USF School of Law students, alumni, faculty, and administrators gathered at San Francisco's Mark Hopkins Hotel May 13 to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2008. Several faculty and student awards were presented and retiring professors William Bassett, Paul McKaskle, and Delos Putz were recognized."On behalf of the Law Society, it is my pleasure to welcome the Class of 2008 as our newest members," USF Law Society Board of Governors President-Elect Martin Murphy '91 said in a welcome address at the annual Alumni Graduates Dinner.
Professor Reza Dibadj received the Distinguished Professor Award, which was presented by Student Bar Association President David Sutton. Dibadj was traveling and not able to accept the award in person but sent along a message for the occasion.
"Please let me emphasize what a privilege it is every day to walk into Kendrick Hall and work with such a talented, energetic, and thoughtful group of students," Dibadj wrote. "In a world where it is often very easy to become pessimistic, listening to you and reading your work gives me a sense of optimism about where the law might go."
Adjunct Professor Mark Tuft, whose son is a member of the Class of 2008, received the Hon. Ira A. Brown Jr. Distinguished Adjunct Professor Award. The Student Bar Association Award, given to the members of the graduating class who contribute to the law school through service and leadership, was given to Danielle Tizol and Lauren Valk. In addition, student Caroline Burnett was selected as author of Law Review's Comment of the Year for her piece titled "Dismantling Roe Brick by Brick: The Unconstitutional Purpose Behind the Federal Partial-Birth Abortion Act of 2003."
The evening also included the presentation of a class gift check for $32,000 to Dean Jeff Brand and speeches by the three retiring faculty members.
