Law School dedicates new building

A great day for a great law school. That's how Law School Dean Colin Diver described yesterday's official dedication of the school's new $23 million Nicole E. Tanenbaum Hall, the first major building addition to the school in over 30 years. The ceremony began with three bagpipers marching down 34th Street from the Law School, leading a huge academic procession of speakers, guests, University Trustees and Law School faculty into Irvine Auditorium. The dedication convocation brought out thousands of law students, faculty and alumni to Irvine, where Law Professor Lani Guinier introduced U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno as the keynote speaker. Interim President Claire Fagin presented Reno with the University's first ever Medal for Distinguished Achievement. The pewter medal is conferred by the Trustees upon those who "have contributed to the world through innovative acts of scholarship, scientific discovery, artistic creativity or societal leadership." Fagin commended Reno for "acting forcefully and creatively" when others "shrank away" from the urgent tasks of societal leadership. Retired Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., also was honored yesterday for his contributions to "the constitutional and moral discourse of our nation" which "helped shape our identity as a free society." Diver presented him in absentia with the Law School's highest honor, the James Wilson Award. In her opening remarks at the convocation, Fagin called Tanenbaum Hall "essential to the continuation of Franklin's vision and commitment to practical professional training" at the University. The most poignant moment of the ceremony was Myles Tanenbaum's official dedication speech for the new building, named in the memory of his daughter, Nicole. Nicole Tanenbaum died of leukemia at the age of 16. "Nicole wanted very much to attend this University," Tanenbaum said, visibly broken up. "And we are grateful that her name will be inscribed here forever." Immediately after the convocation at Irvine, Tanenbaum Hall officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. "It gives me great pleasure to proclaim the Nicole E. Tanenbaum Hall open," Fagin said. Within the new building's facade on Sansom Street is a concerted effort to incorporate the latest technology possible. Two seminar rooms and the lecture hall can receive films or satellite feeds. Studio space will be available to students for videotaping, and cable TV will be installed for special classroom use. Over 110 miles of computer data wiring in the building will insure that every student space will have access to e-mail, the Law School computer network and other remote information databases. "I'm so impressed with Penn's efforts that I hope other schools follow its lead," Reno said after the ribbon-cutting. At the convocation, Fagin said she sees Tanenbaum Hall as the beginning of a northern campus that will "rival the scenic beauty and intellectual vibrancy of Locust Walk" and College Green. Diver said the building is "above all, a building for students, for their heads, their hearts and even their stomachs." The building's first floor will house a computer lab, lounges, offices, a lecture hall and student dining commons. Second-year Law student Gons Nachman said he welcomes the new library and student space. Nachman, who called the old library "inadequate for the modern law school," said Tanenbaum Hall will provide a place for law students to call their own. "Before, we didn't have a place where students could socialize," he said. "This will definitely change the character of the Law School in a more positive way." Michael Doar, another second-year student, said he feels law students now "have a new home." Diver said Tanenbaum Hall should attract more students and faculty. "We're going first class on this. We're definitely doing it right."