I am pleased to share a significant development in the Law Center’s new building campaign. The University of Houston System Board of Regents announced today a substantial gift from the John M. O’Quinn Foundation to advance a decades-long effort to construct a new Law Center building.
An accomplished attorney and philanthropist, the late John M. O’Quinn was a UH Law Center alumnus and one of the University’s most enthusiastic supporters. The Foundation bearing his name has donated more than $16 million to the UH Law Center, a major portion of which now supports the naming of the law building. I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Foundation for helping us achieve our current fundraising milestone of $90 million. The new facility will be named the John M. O’Quinn Law Building. The name of the law school will remain the University of Houston Law Center.
O’Quinn, a 1967 graduate of the Law Center, was a renowned trial lawyer and philanthropist who died in 2009. At the Law Center, his generosity is recognized in the library bearing his name, two endowed chairs – the A.L. O’Quinn Chair in Environmental Studies – named in honor of his father and the Dwight Olds Chair named in honor of a UHLC law professor, and his support for the Blakely Advocacy Institute. He also was a frequent speaker at the school, sharing his expertise with the next generation of attorneys.
O’Quinn rose from humble beginnings and used the power of his UH legal education to become one of the nation’s top trial lawyers, winning more than $21 billion for his clients. He gave back to the community by supporting education, hospitals and programs that improved the lives of many in underserved communities. I believe those students learning in a building bearing his name will also be inspired to overcome their life circumstances, excel as lawyers, and give back to their communities. Many thanks also go to our Cornerstone Club donors and other alumni and friends who raised $10 million as an initial down payment toward this fundraising effort. Many thanks go to the Governor and the state legislators in approving a direct appropriation for the new building. Many thanks also go to President Khator for her bold and visionary leadership, and to the U.H. Board of Regents, Provost Short, Vice Chancellor Brice, Vice Chancellor Smith, other university administrators, and of course the Law Center community.
Construction for the new state-of-the-art facility is expected to begin in summer 2020. New renderings by the architectural firm of Shepley Bulfinch show a modern, sleek building that will stand as a testament to the academic excellence, renowned faculty and quality of students within. A large, glass-fronted lobby will serve as a focal point for students and visitors. A multi-level library, and modern technology and facilities throughout will expand teaching capabilities while the bright and airy ambience and other amenities will make the learning experience more pleasurable for students and faculty alike. A multi-purpose event room and flexible classroom spaces will allow greater outreach to the community for clinical services, educational workshops, conferences and judicial proceedings.
We are continuing with the final “Capstone Phase” of our More than Bricks campaign to raise an additional $3 to $5 million for upgrades and expanded services. These include:
To join the campaign or learn more, please contact Magda M. Herrera, Senior Director of Advancement, at 713-743-3719 or mmherrera@uh.edu.
As I have said many times over the past five years: A world-class law school in a world-class city requires a world-class building. This will be that building. On behalf of the entire Law Center community, I would like to thank the John M. O’Quinn Foundation and all those who took pride in our past and focused on our future to make it happen.
Sincerely,
Leonard M. Baynes |
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