Law School appointments reflect two kinds of history

While Law Professor Regina Austin made history by becoming the first African American to be named to an endowed chair at the Law School, the appointment of Law Associate Dean Michael Fitts was almost expected. "I am a third generation [endowed chair recipient]," explained Fitts, whose father and grandfather were named to endowed chairs in the Medical and Wharton schools, respectively. Fitts, who has lived in West Philadelphia most of his life, called the Robert G. Fuller, Jr. Chair "a great honor," noting that Fuller, a 1964 Law graduate, is "loyal? and actively involved." Law School Dean Colin Diver, who made the appointments, honored Fitts because of his exceptional skills as a teacher and lawyer -- skills the school were "especially interested in recognizing and promoting when [it] established the chair." Diver called Fitts "one of the leading American law scholars." "He is an invaluable asset to me as dean," he added. A Yale Law School graduate, Fitts specializes in separation of powers, the presidency and administrative law. As associate dean, Fitts is currently striving to create "programs to connect with Law and the rest of the [University] community" and making progress facilitating interdisciplinary degrees more feasible. "We're talking about a submatriculation between the Law School and the College right now," said Fitts, who added that planning is only in its elementary stages. Chris Gollatz, a first-year Law student, noted that she enjoyed Fitts' class in administrative law and that he had "good insight" into the field. Austin, who was recently named to the William A. Schnader Chair, graduated from Penn Law in 1973. A nationally prominent legal scholar in race and gender studies, Austin was "thrilled" to receive the honor. She noted that Philadelphia's Schnader, Hanson, Segal & Lewis law firm -- which established the chair --Ealso gave her her start. At work on a number of articles on the subjects of black women's lack of self-worth and the impact of the legal system in low-income minority urban communities, Austin also participated in the recent conference, "The 'Black Image' in the 'Black Mind'." She congratulated the graduate students who organized the series of academic discussions. "I was thrilled how supportive they were to each other? I would've liked that [support] as a graduate student," Austin said. A well-liked teacher, Austin's "approach to torts law is refreshing," commented first-year Law student Brant Campbell. Dismissing her outstanding accomplishments, Austin gave her own explanation for receiving the prestigious honor. "I just guess my number came up," she said.