By Britni Bateman

The Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School celebrated the generosity behind its first five decades and honored the pioneering students who helped build its foundation during the unveiling of the new Wall of Philanthropy on Friday, Aug. 14.

The wall recognizes donors who have advanced legal education at SIU and pays special tribute to members of the law school’s charter class, who began their legal education in 1973. Members of the class helped spearhead funding for the project and participated in the unveiling.

The law school unveiled the wall after its induction ceremony for the incoming Class of 2029, connecting the students who helped establish the school with the newest generation beginning their legal education.

Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson said the timing provided an opportunity to celebrate both the law school’s history and its future.

“Every tile on the wall tells a story, whether it represents a gift from an individual, a couple, a family or an entity,” Brenner Johnson said. “It supports a belief in the power of legal education and the importance of supporting the future of the legal profession.”

The Wall of Philanthropy combines permanent donor recognition with an interactive digital display where students, alumni and visitors can learn about the people and philanthropy behind Simmons Law School. The display features donor stories and key moments from the school’s history.

A historical timeline traces major SIU Law events, including the school’s creation, charter class milestones and more than five decades of growth. The timeline draws from Celebrating the First Fifty Years of Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School by Frank G. Houdek, professor emeritus, published by SIU Press in 2023.

As a public law school, Simmons Law School strives to provide an excellent and affordable legal education. Philanthropy expands opportunities for students and faculty and helps advance that mission.

Donors fund scholarships, help attract faculty with specialized expertise, provide opportunities for students to attend national conferences, support faculty research and strengthen the legal clinic. Through the clinic, students gain practical experience while helping meet legal needs throughout the region.

“Our law school was created to serve the public good, to address unmet legal needs in Southern Illinois and our region by training lawyers,” Brenner Johnson said.

Since its charter class graduated in 1976, Simmons Law School has grown to more than 4,600 graduates. Alumni include more than 200 local, state and federal judges, and graduates practice law in all 50 states and 10 countries.

Charter class helped build foundation for law school

Charter class member Gayl Pyatt, a retired attorney, public servant and longtime SIU supporter, reflected on the law school’s beginnings before joining fellow classmates to unveil the wall.

SIU hired Hiram Lesar in 1972 as founding dean to lead the development of the new law school. The following year, Pyatt joined 79 other students in its charter class. Fifteen of the 80 students were women.

The charter class began its legal education in September 1973 in temporary quarters known as the “Blue Barracks.” After their first semester, students moved to two small group housing buildings across the street from the site of the current law school.

“We never had the joy of having a class in a building like this,” Pyatt said as she reflected on the facilities available to today’s students.

The charter class also had no upperclassmen to turn to for advice about professors, classes or exams. Instead, the students relied on one another as they navigated the new program.

“We were all on our own,” Pyatt said. “What did that mean? It meant we worked together. We were a team getting through this first year.”

Lesar came to SIU after serving 12 years as dean of the Washington University School of Law. At SIU, he recruited faculty, developed the curriculum, secured classroom space and led efforts to build the law school’s permanent home.

Pyatt recalled a classmate asking Lesar why he should choose the new SIU law school when other institutions offered him scholarships.

Lesar’s answer captured the significance of the opportunity: “There is only one first class.”

That first class continued helping shape the school throughout its three years together. In May 1976, the law school published the inaugural issue of the Southern Illinois University Law Journal, with Pyatt, then Gayl Alexander, serving as editor-in-chief. Later that month, members of the charter class received their law degrees at the school’s first commencement ceremony.

More than 50 years after arriving at SIU, members of the charter class remain engaged with the institution they helped build.

Philanthropy carries legacy forward

Kate Hanson, senior director of development for the Simmons Law School, began working closely with members of the charter class as the law school celebrated its 50th anniversary. She said getting to know them gave her a greater understanding of their role in the school’s history.

“They joined a brand-new law school and helped build the foundation upon which the school stands today,” Hanson said. “We want to make them proud and ensure their legacy is remembered.”

When Hanson approached Pyatt about creating a donor wall, Pyatt suggested honoring her classmates through the project. The charter class then helped bring that vision to life.

“The members of the charter class are among the law school’s most philanthropic and generous supporters, but their impact cannot be measured solely by the gifts they have made,” Hanson said. “They remain involved. They care deeply about this institution, its students and its future.”

The Wall of Philanthropy honors that legacy alongside generations of donors whose generosity continues to move Simmons Law School forward.

“My hope is that every student, alum, faculty member and visitor who sees this wall will be inspired by the charter class and by the generosity of those who have supported the law school’s journey,” Hanson said.

To support the SIU Simmons Law School and help provide opportunities for future generations of students, visit siuf.org/law.