Message from LAA President Suzanne Johnson
My Wayne Law classmates were people I really liked. They were working people, many starting a second career. I understand that today’s Wayne Law students are very similar -- hard working people on a mission. As many years removed from them as I am, I feel connected to them – I enjoy their enthusiasm and I want to see them succeed.
There is group of people that share this desire with me. The 36-member Law Alumni Association board and other alumni are fairly selfless in devoting imagination and time to activities that will connect alumni to the Law School. Our mission is to be a professional network, a point of connection to the School, and a resource for the students and the School.
We are looking forward to planning or participating in a number of events for 2012 to bring alumni together in Detroit, across Michigan and in several other states. These include:
- Networking events in Royal Oak, downtown Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids, which typically attract from 20 to 80 alums each
- Theater event in Detroit
- Treasure of Detroit Silent Auction
- Alumni Reunion
- Serving lunch to alumni sitting for the July Bar exam in East Lansing
- Student events such as Ambulance Chase, new student open houses, conferences and award ceremonies
I propose that you consider some self-serving behavior. Help these students succeed as you have. Enrich their experience by being a part of it. In doing so, you strengthen the institution that launched your career. You will reap the benefits of your contribution in many ways. Wayne Law will continue to shine as a leader. As an employer or practitioner, you will have access to the best and brightest new legal talent. You might even reconnect with some of the people who shared your experience during the glory days of yore. And, your alma mater’s reputation will be that much more enhanced in the eyes of the nation’s practitioners, academics, jurists and scholars.