by Pete Rosenbery<\/p>\n
CARBONDALE, Ill. \u2014 The SIU School of Law is preparing for a birthday celebration that honors the vision of the law school\u2019s founding dean, while also raising scholarship funds for students. A party celebrating Barbara Lesar\u2019s 90th birthday is set for 1:30 p.m., Sunday, March 29, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building.<\/p>\n
The cost to attend the party is $90 per person, with proceeds going to the Hiram H. Lesar Professorship Fund. Mrs. Lesar turns 90 years old on March 30. \u201cWe\u2019re pleased to celebrate Mrs. Lesar\u2019s milestone birthday with her. We are even more excited that she is allowing us to use this opportunity to highlight Dr. Lesar\u2019s life and legacy,\u201d Dean Peter C. Alexander said. Barbara Lesar\u2019s late husband, Hiram, organized and developed the law school with its charter class in August 1973. Prior to that, the only law schools in the state were at the University of Illinois and in Chicago.<\/p>\n
The ongoing goal is to raise $250,000 for the Lesar Professorship Fund. The incumbent law school dean will be designated \u201cDean and Hiram H. Lesar Professor of Law.\u201d The fellowship fund began in 2006. The endowment also generates a scholarship for a law school student in good academic standing who demonstrates high achievement or the potential for high academic achievement. Because of meal considerations, the pre-registration deadline is March 26. To register by e-mail go to http:\/\/www.law.siu.edu and click on the RSVP link to \u201cCelebrating Barbara Lesar\u2019s 90th Birthday.\u201d Registration is also available by e-mail to development officer Judi Ray at judiray@siu.edu or calling 618\/453-8135.<\/p>\n
Ray said it is Mrs. Lesar\u2019s wish to raise funds for the fellowship in lieu of birthday gifts. The University will honor Barbara Lesar with a Distinguished Service Award during the law school\u2019s commencement ceremony on May 7 in Shryock Auditorium. In February, Alexander noted Barbara Lesar considers it her responsibility to make sure her late husband\u2019s vision is supported in every way possible, actively serving on the law school\u2019s Board of Visitors, and attending every law school event. Barbara Lesar is also co-chair of the committee working to endow the professorship in Dean Lesar\u2019s honor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. \u2014 The SIU School of Law is preparing for a birthday celebration that honors the vision of the law school\u2019s founding dean, while also raising scholarship funds for students. A party celebrating Barbara Lesar\u2019s 90th birthday is set for 1:30 p.m., Sunday, March 29, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law … Continue reading Event will honor Lesars, raise scholarship funds<\/span>