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MSU College of Law

FORMER PRESIDENT FORD TO SPEAK AT DEDICATION OF NEW HOME OF DETROIT COLLEGE OF LAW AT MSU

11/7/97

MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Division of University Relations
403 Olds Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1047

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kris Tetens
(517) 355-2281

East Lansing, Michigan. - The Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University (DCL/MSU) will welcome a former president of the United States to campus when it dedicates its new $28 million building on April 21, 1998.

President Gerald R. Ford will deliver the keynote address at a time yet to be announced at the Festival Stage of the Wharton Center for Performing Arts.

Ford, 84, grew up in Grand Rapids. He served as the nation’s 38th president (1974-77). From 1949 to 1973, he represented Michigan’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"We are delighted that President Ford has accepted our invitation to speak at an event that will open a new era for Michigan State," said MSU president Peter McPherson. "His presence confirms the historical significance of the unique partnership that has been forged between the university and what will become one of the nation’s finest law schools."

McPherson was a special assistant to Ford during his administration and served as deputy director of presidential personnel from 1975-77.

Ford has visited the MSU campus once before. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and House minority leader, he delivered the commencement address and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on March 14, 1965.

The Law School Building, located at the corner of Bogue Street and South Shaw Lane, features advanced learning technologies, including computer-based instruction, a large moot courtroom, and a comprehensive law library.

"Every classroom, office, and study area has been designed with one goal in mind: the collaborative, cross-disciplinary study of law in the setting of a Big Ten, land-grant university," said George N. Bashara, Jr., president of the DCL/MSU board of trustees.

Tours of the building will be offered in conjunction with the dedication ceremonies.

Other events during the dedication will include the opening of a time capsule dating from 1937 that was found in the cornerstone of the school’s former location on East Elizabeth Street in Detroit.

Additional details will be announced as they are finalized.

Founded in 1891, DCL/MSU is the nation’s oldest independent, continuously operating school of law. In 1995 it began a unique affiliation with Michigan State University. Under the terms of the affiliation, DCL/MSU retains its independent status; no state monies are used to support its activities.

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