Pepperdine Caruso School of Law Class of 1973 Celebrates 50th Graduation Reunion
The Pepperdine Caruso School of Law Class of 1973 gathered in Santa Ana on May 13 to celebrate their 50th graduation reunion with Dean Emeritus Ronald F. Phillips.
From event chairpersons David Adler and Barbara McDonald:
Just a few miles across town from the original campus of the Pepperdine University School of Law, twelve classmates came together to celebrate their graduation from the fledgling school. There probably aren’t many 50th year anniversaries of any law school or other educational institution that would be able to share and rejoice in the event in the company of their dean. We were blessed to be in the company of our founding dean at this milestone event.
After the gourmet banquet and cake cutting ceremony ended, Dean Phillips delivered well-received remarks chronicling his experience and the amazing journey he took, leading a newly born law school from humble beginnings to becoming an elite law school. Pepperdine University School of Law is known world-wide for its academic excellence and outstanding lawyers that are fortunate enough to have received their legal education under Dean Phillips' leadership.
Those in attendance were given some useful gifts from the University and avocados, freshly picked from Dave and Linda Adler’s avocado grove in Fallbrook, California.
The class honored Dean Phillips with a hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind keepsake box, made by Barbara McDonald (a widely recognized fine-artist), that was filled with written messages from the class, expressing their kind thoughts and good wishes toward Dean Phillips. Our hope is that our dean will have the box to dip into for an encouraging word or a note of cheer anytime one is needed.
Taking turns, each classmate had an opportunity to speak to the group about their own careers in the 50 year time span. Some examples of careers were public service as a public defender or prosecutor, judge, tax specialist, family law specialist, personal injury and corporate law.
The class of 1973 owes Dean Phillips an enormous debt of gratitude for his contributions to our achievements as lawyers. We urge you to go online to the Pepperdine web site, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, and read the current status of the law school Ron Phillips helmed from its very beginning as a store-front. Although he stepped down as the day-to-day dean some time ago, he retains (deservedly) emeritus status. Just check out the law schools' various rankings and you will probably be blown away and grateful as we are. We also wish to thank the Pepperdine University School of Law for their strong support in helping us present the event.
