Nearly 400 USC Law alumni returned to campus on Saturday, June 9, to catch up with old friends, share in each others’ successes and reminisce about their years spent at one of the nation’s top law schools.
Reunion 2007 – celebrated by 10 graduating classes from 1957 to 2002 – featured an evening of drinks, dinner, music and laughs. Classes from 1956 and earlier celebrated reunion at the annual Golden Years Luncheon on Friday, June 8.
During Saturday’s festivities, Professor Matthew Spitzer welcomed all alumni and friends during the opening reception held in Town and Gown and read some remarks from Dean Robert K. Rasmussen, who will join USC Law in August. Rasmussen succeeds Professor Edward J. McCaffery, dean on an interim basis from 2006 to 2007, and Spitzer, dean from 2000 to 2005.
“Great law schools are measured by their alumni, and by this measure, no one doubts we are a great law school,” Rasmussen said. “Founded by students over a century ago, USC Law will always define itself by the quality of the education provided to our students, who are among the best and brightest in the nation.”
Before heading off to individual class dinners held in the law school and the USC University Club, the alumni were treated to a surprise performance of USC favorites “Fight On,” “Tribute to Troy,” “Conquest” and more by members of the Trojan Marching Band.
Scores of 2002 graduates gathered in the University Club, where Michael Gonzales ‘02 toasted his former classmates as they watched a slideshow of photos from their law school years and beyond.
“I hope that in the last five years, you accomplished all the imagined goals you set for yourself,” Gonzales said, “and that you won’t stop imagining more and trying to achieve further and further along the paths of your lives.”
Gonzales’ classmates Robin Mahaptra ’02 and Anuj Shah ’02 reminisced about the hours spent both in the classroom and on the tennis court.
“I’m wacko: I loved law school,” Shah said. “I think 1 percent of people feel that way, but I loved it, I’d do it 10 times over, and I wanted to come back and re-live it.”
Though Mahaptra lives in Los Angeles and finds himself on the USC campus occasionally, Shah, who practices international law in Houston, took his first tour of the recently renovated USC Law library and café.
“The library is really great now,” he said. “I just can’t believe five years have gone by. I’m just flabbergasted.”
Deborah Kwast ’77 and Bobbi Tillmon ’77 looked back on their years at USC Law and defined the students by two groups – the “red hots,” who blazed a trail of success through school, and those who were “trying to survive and trying to function,” according to Kwast, who put herself in the latter category. Both women are incredibly successful 30 years out of law school. Kwast is the public defender of Orange County, Calif., and Tillmon is a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.
“The memories that come back when I walk in the door are just: hard work; I’m glad I passed; I’m glad it’s over; and on to the next thing,” said Tillmon, chuckling.
Dining with eight of his classmates celebrating their 50th class reunion were 1957 graduate Bill Johnstone and his wife, Lynne (pictured left). A former Student Bar Association president, Johnstone has stayed connected to USC Law through the years, working in a firm with about 10 other alumni, supporting the law school with philanthropy and serving as a class reporter for USC Alumni Connections for about a decade.
Johnstone attended the USC commencement in May to see his granddaughter receive her bachelor’s degree from the Annenberg School of Communication (his grandson will graduate from the Marshall School of Business in 2010). It was the first USC commencement ceremony he attended since his own.
“We have a lot of interest in what goes on at USC and we follow the football team,” Johnstone said. “It’s very exciting times right now for the football team and for the university, and I think one benefits the other. We’re on a roll and everybody’s watching.”
Following the individual class dinners, all alumni gathered again at Town and Gown for a closing reception, with a jazz band and dessert buffet. A football signed by Coach Pete Carroll was raffled off. The winning ticket, belonging to Michelle Blum ’94, was drawn by alumnus Eric Wang ’00, who worked in the law school’s graduate relations office from 2005 until the Reunion 2007 event. Wang is returning to law practice.
Golden Years alumni, including 99-year-old Judge Lawrence Drumm ’32, enjoyed a luncheon at the law school on June 8. Other alumni from pre-1956 graduating classes in attendance were James Booth ’36, Marshall Gumbiner ’42, Ruth Lavine ’43 and Judge Joseph Wapner ’48.
Class photos and other photos from Reunion 2007 are available for purchase. Please contact USC Law Public Rleations for more information.
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| USC Law Class of 1957 |
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| USC Law Class of 1962 |
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| USC Law Class of 1967 |
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| USC Law Class of 1972 |
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| USC Law Class of 1977 |
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| USC Law Class of 1982 |
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| USC Law Class of 1987 |
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| USC Law Class of 1992 |
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| USC Law Class of 1997 |
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| USC Law Class of 2002 |
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