For the Fall issue of Blue, the Alumni Insider, we asked Jerry Anderson Dean of the Law School, about what’s happening in the School. Here’s what he had to say.
What has been a highlight of the semester so far?
The Drake Constitutional Law Center, created by Congress in 1987, hosted its annual symposium in September (pictured). The symposium was based on Democracy and Dysfunction (University of Chicago Press) by Professors Sandy Levinson and Jack Balkin, who were joined by several other outstanding scholars during the symposium. I was especially excited that our alumni and friends were able to attend by joining the event online.
What’s new?
Did you know that the second floor of Cartwright Hall is home to an interactive display highlighting alumni from across the country? It received a refresh over the summer, so make sure to stop by and check it out when you’re on campus.
Professor Jennifer Zwagerman officially started as the new director of our nationally acclaimed Drake Agricultural Law Center on July 1.
Who/what is making your college/school proud lately?
I’m proud to share the recent news that Drake Law School has been named to the 2019 Honor Roll for Employment at Law Firms by preLaw Magazine. Within 10 months of graduation, 86.3% of our 2018 graduates were employed in a position requiring or preferring a JD. On a related note, I’m also pleased to share that we have welcomed Kathryn Overberg as our new Director of Career Development, who previously served as the Title IX Coordinator for Drake University.
And for fun:
What is your favorite piece of Drake memorabilia?
You can find fascinating bits of history at the Drake Law Library in Opperman Hall. One of my favorite collections is the National Bar Association Archives. The archives feature materials on the five African American lawyers from Des Moines—S. Joe Brown, Charles P. Howard, James B. Morris, Gertrude Rush, and George Woodson—who co-founded the National Bar Association in 1925.
If you owned a pet Bulldog, what would its name be?
Excuse the lawyer humor, but I’d have to go with Westpaw or Bona Fido.
What annual Drake event do you most look forward to?
Orientation is one I always look forward to—the excitement of welcoming a new group of budding lawyers and the privilege of launching students on the path of joining our noble profession.
Favorite spot on campus or the surrounding Drake neighborhood?
Near the law school is the Oreon E. Scott Chapel. It’s a beautiful little round building, lit only by a skylight, and was designed as a place to “renew the spirit.” The legal profession is demanding, so we encourage our students to find ways to get the renewal of the spirit they need.
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