Welcome to our celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Washington and Lee University School of Law. Founded in 1849 as the Lexington Law School by Judge John White Brockenbrough, the School of Law became affiliated with the University through the efforts of President Robert E. Lee in 1866. The School of Law later flourished under the leadership of John Randolph Tucker, a distinguished constitutional scholar who also served as a Member of Congress, Attorney General of Virginia, and President of the American Bar Association. Over the years, the School of Law has educated countless distinguished judges, public servants, and leaders of the profession.

During the 1998-99 academic year, the Washington and Lee University School of Law will celebrate both the 150th anniversary of its founding and the University's 250th anniversary. We meet these anniversaries mindful of past successes and present challenges, and in the spirit of our University's longstanding pursuit of intellectual and moral excellence. As my thoughts turn to these celebrations, I cannot help but recall the challenging words of John Randolph Tucker, the first dean of the Law School: "Many think everything good because old, and everything evil because new; others directly reverse these propositions. Neither is right; both are in error. Change is not reform; nor is blind conservation of the established order of things wisdom." That spirit, which combines respect for the past with an eagerness to meet the demands of the present and future, has guided the Law School throughout its history.

The history of the Law School and the University have been closely intertwined with the history of the nation, and we will pause during the year to reflect on the contributions that so many of the University's alumni, such as John W. Davis, Lewis Powell and John Minor Wisdom, have made to public service and the legal profession. We will also take the occasion to reflect on the history of our nation and profession. We are honored that two outstanding historians of the founding period, Professor Gordon Wood of Brown University and Professor Pauline Maier of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will give major lectures at the Law School this year. An anniversary also provides an opportunity to assess the present and anticipate the future. We have chosen to do so on this occasion by inviting a series of distinguished speakers to share with us their insights on the concept of responsibility that is central to our University and profession. With perspectives as diverse as those of Judge Alex Kozinski and Professor Charles Ogletree, Professor Amy Gutmann and President Derek Bok, we anticipate a lively and deeply rewarding year.

Barry Sullivan

Dean of the School of Law