November 2002 Stories

College of Law Celebrates Largest Alumni Gift

$2 million dollar gift provides endowed support for the Law and Government Program

"Powers not delegated...are reserved...to the people." -10th Amendment, U.S. Constitution

"Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." -Declaration of Independence

In enthusiasm for America’s system of government and an appreciation for his Willamette College of Law education motivated Ken Peterson L’80 and his wife, Claudia, to help establish The Willamette Center for Law and Government. The $2 million endowed gift, the College of Law’s largest alumni gift in its 119-year history, fulfills Willamette’s dream to provide students with an in-depth look at law and government.

“First of all, allow me to reiterate our deepest gratitude to Ken and Claudia Peterson for believing in our vision for a center of excellence and investing in its future,” said Dean Symeon Symeonides. “They truly personify the Willamette motto, ‘Not unto ourselves are we born.’”

“Given Willamette’s proximity to the state capitol and the historic relationship with state government, I thought something with an emphasis on that relationship was particularly relevant,” said Peterson. “I hope that the Center will provide an additional avenue for students to learn about our system and what makes it so precious in the struggle to maintain liberty in a world that has so often been hostile to freedom.”

Peterson’s interest in law and government began as an undergraduate at the College of William and
Mary when he majored in government and continued his education at Willamette’s College of Law.

“This interest has deepened over the years … I have come to an even greater appreciation for the special genius of the American constitution and the system of government it set up. I have become more concerned about whether and to what extent this system remains as vigilant on behalf of liberty as it once was.”

The Center will help students develop an understanding of the law governing institutions at the national, state and local levels and will train students to work effectively in government. It will also explore how public policy is made and modified and how those educated in the law can effectively influence the formulation of law and public policy and will encompass substantial scholarly research and public service components. To initially spark students’ enthusiasm, the Petersons pledged an additional $30,000 for what Peterson envisions as an annual, national student essay contest on the 10th Amendment. A scholar-in-residence program is also planned to attract some of the best legal minds on this subject to Willamette. “Through these activities, the Center will not only enrich the education of our students, but will also contribute to our efforts for greater regional and national visibility,” said Symeonides.

“The bottom line is that I want to do what I can to help make sure our special American system of government remains vibrant and is one of those things that will be passed along to my children and their children for generations to come,” said Peterson.

The Willamette Center for Law and Government is one of three new Centers of Excellence at the College of Law. The other two are in Law & Business and International & Comparative Law. “The centers emulate and complement the nationally ranked Center for Dispute Resolution,” said Symeonides. “Each of these centers will have a curriculum component … In addition, each center will undertake research, publication and public service activities that will enrich the life of the school and the community.”

With the help of additional donors and friends, the Willamette College of Law is also planning to expand the number of student scholarships and endowed faculty chairs. “Student scholarships will enable us to attract the best and the brightest students, at a time when the cost of legal education is skyrocketing while some of our competitors have the advantage of low state-supported tuition,” said Symeonides. “Endowed faculty chairs will enable us to continue to attract and to retain the best faculty. We have already demonstrated that what was unthinkable a few years ago is now feasible.”

Peterson added his support for the Dean’s vision for the Law School: “In today’s world, the University and the Law School need (alumni) support as they endeavor to continue the commitment to excellence in educating the citizens and leaders of tomorrow. The Willamette Center for Law & Government can be a great example of the excitement and substance that can be devised to educate, enlighten and challenge not only the students, but our society as a whole, in the quest to deepen our understanding of and commitment to the fundamental ideas that our country was founded upon.”

For more information on The Willamette Center for Law and Government visit www.willamette.edu/
wucl/academic/certificates.htm.