Schermerhorn Scholars Return to Law School

Schermerhorn Scholars Return to Law School

On Saturday October 3rd, close to 60 St. John’s Law graduates, from the Class of 1959 and prior years, returned to the Law School to meet Dean Michael A. Simons and reminisce with fellow “Schermerhorn Street Law Graduates” at the Annual Schermerhorn Scholar’s Brunch.  For many in attendance, this was their first visit to the Queens Law Campus.

The day began in the Belson Moot Courtroom, a state of the art legal lecture hall designed as a courtroom with technology enhancements allowing students an opportunity to hone their litigation skills in a true courtroom setting.  After a welcome by Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Development George Richardson, Dean Simons addressed the assembled alumni student body. 

To demonstrate the technology featured in the Law School, Dean Simons chose to re-create a Day 1 Lecture from his Criminal Law class.  In this instance, the student body consisted of Law School alumni with a combined 3,000 plus years of legal practice.  The case presented, Regina v. Dudley and Stephens, was an actual court case from 1884 involving an act of murder and cannibalism which occurred in a lifeboat after a shipwreck.  The senior alumni participating in the classroom exercise quickly applied their legal training and queried Dean Simons on motive, venue, legal precedent and courtroom protocol from the era.  A lively discussion ensued that was only interrupted because brunch was about to be served in the Mattone Family Atrium.

After a brief interlude during which alumni guests became reacquainted with fellow classmates, the Schermerhorn graduates enjoyed brunch while 3L student Kristin Roshelli discussed life at the Law School today.  Dean Michael Simons took the podium and discussed the facility, the faculty, the administration, the students and the alumni body.  Dean Simons noted, “…although you may have been away for awhile, this is your Law School.”

After Dean Simons’ address, the Class of 1959 and those who had never attended this event before were inducted as Schermerhorn Scholars.  The induction is a traditional pinning ceremony.  This was followed by individual photos with Dean Simons and a group photo of all attending members.  The “two most experienced” attending graduates, Eleanor J. Smirti ’43 and Carl E. Tavolacci ’35 cut the celebratory cake which all enjoyed for dessert. 

Tours of the Law School added closure to the festivities.  Next year, members of the Class of 1960, and all preceding years will join in the festivities.