When I graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 1988, I joined an extended alumni community of thousands. One year later, Judy Areen was chosen from the faculty to become dean of our alma mater.The broad impact of Dean Areen’s tenure on the quality of education at the Law Center has been felt by current students and alumni, like us, who take pride in the ever-increasing value of our law degrees and the reputation of the Law Center.
     Under Dean Areen’s leadership, and the leadership of my predecessors who have served as National Chair, including Robert Lighthizer (C’69, L’73), Edward Ricci (L’73), Plato Cacheris (F’51, L’56), Bob Shapiro (L’67, L’70), Peter Finnerty (L’72), and Edmund Burke (C’70, L’73), the Law Annual Fund has grown considerably. Several years ago, Dean Areen challenged alumni to double the Annual Fund to $2 million to help reduce class sizes.Alumni responded enthusiastically and the result has been smaller day classes (down from 500 to 450 students).All the while, she has recruited new members to a superb faculty to improve the student-faculty ratio to 1:5.This year, with your support, the 2004 Law Annual Fund will again raise more than $2 million to expand academic programs and student services, including financial aid, clinics, journals, the Edward Bennett Williams Law Library, the Loan Repayment Assistance Program and more than 60 student organizations that contribute to the quality of student life.
     The Law Center has been blessed with visionary leadership throughout its history.To recognize the legacy of excellence that Deans Areen, Pitofsky, McCarthy, and Dean continue to contribute to the Law Center, I ask you to make your gift to the 2004 Law Annual Fund, if you have not already done so.
     I look forward to serving under the leadership of a new dean who will no doubt build on the accomplishments of Dean Areen.

                            Sincerely,