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Saturday, September 13, 2003 marked the 50th Anniversary of the first day of classes at Villanova Law School. Founded in 1953 with the help of a $1.2 million gift from Eugene Lester Garey, the School was intended to address the need for a Catholic law school in the Philadelphia area. Since 1953, more than 8000 graduates have passed through the doors of Villanova Law School.

The Academic Convocation, held at the Kimmel Center in Verizon Hall, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Law School. The Keynote Speaker for the evening was the Honorable Tom Ridge, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and former Governor of Pennsylvania. Mark A. Sargent, Dean of the Law School, in his welcoming remarks acknowledged the first class. “Fifty years ago today, a small group of students, and an even smaller group of faculty, gathered for the first day of classes of a new law school. Their Dean, Harold Reuschlein, promised them that they would not only receive a first rate legal education, but that they would also build something distinctive – a truly great law school. And he was right. That little law school went from success to success, always building, always improving, always trying to educate lawyers who would be something special – not only great advocates, but men and women of integrity, and committed to making the world a better place.”

The program included a salute to the first entering class, the Class of 1956, the presentation of the Alumni Association and Law School awards and special recognition of the inauguration of the John F. Scarpa Chair for Catholic Legal Studies. Ten members of the first graduating class were recognized with commemorative medals, including the first woman to graduate from Villanova Law School, Jeanne W. Ryan.

Dean Mark A. Sargent and the Villanova Law Alumni Association presented three awards. Awards for service to the Law School and the community were given to David F. Girard-DiCarlo, Chairman, Blank Rome LLP and Chairman of Blank Rome Government Relations LLC, The Honorable Kathryn S. Lewis, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and Danielle E. Beckwith Lehman and Jennifer J. Kramer, graduates of the Law School Class of 2001. John F.Scarpa, Director of United Wireless Network, received a commemorative medal. More than 1500 alumni, students, friends and distinguished guests were present.

50th Anniversary activities will continue throughout the year. The Law School will cap off the festivities on Saturday, March 20, 2004 with a gala celebration at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia.