Letter from  the Dean

I am honored to report that thanks to more than 4,000 individual and organizational donors, Seton Hall Law Rising has raised more than $26 million toward its campaign goals. All of us at Seton Hall Law School are humbled that so many of you have entrusted us to steward your financial gifts for the betterment of this institution. The overwhelming success of Seton Hall Law Rising is a statement from our alumni and the business community that Seton Hall Law is, indeed, extraordinary.

The Campaign’s success extends the Law School’s ability to fulfill its mission by increasing student access to legal education; supporting faculty members whose research benefits business, government and society at large; developing academic programs that provide forums to discuss and address complex legal, ethical, political and social issues; enhancing direct legal services for New Jersey’s most needy citizens while also providing hands-on skills training to our students; and growing networking and continuing education opportunities to benefit our alumni throughout their careers. The new student scholarships, increased faculty and academic program support, improved facilities and growing tradition of our robust annual fund will have a tremen¬dous impact – with potential to improve our global community for years to come.

None of this would have been possible without the clear and ambitious vision provided by the faculty and the Board of Visitors in the Law School’s Strategic Plan, which informed the Campaign’s priorities. Another vital ingredient to this recipe for success was the tremendous leadership provided by our volunteers. Campaign Co-Chairs Patrick C. Dunican Jr. ’91 and Joseph P. LaSala ’72, both highly successful leaders in the New Jersey legal and business communities, gave credibility to the notion of raising an unprecedented amount of money for Seton Hall Law School. They also had the courage to stay the course when the economic recession hit hard. I am exceedingly grateful for their guidance as well as the hard work and support of all of our volunteers, without whom the Campaign would have remained just a dream.

While the Campaign has wrapped up, our plans for the future are just beginning. Our commitment will continue to be on reaching new heights in the years ahead. Future goals will be focused on the academic vision for the Law School developed by the faculty and administration in consultation with the Law School’s Board of Visitors, Alumni Council and other advisory boards. I look forward to your continued involvement in our community. Together, we will write the next chapter in Seton Hall Law’s ascent.

Sincerely,
Patrick E. Hobbs, Dean