College of Law faculty receive institutional awards

by Sarah Carlson,

  • Jeffrey Dobbins and Symeon Symeonides
    Willamette University College of Law Professors Jeffrey Dobbins and Symeon Symeonides

Willamette University honored two College of Law faculty members with institutional awards at the convocation ceremony of Opening Days on August 26. Professor Jeffrey Dobbins received the Jerry E. Hudson Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Professor Symeon Symeonides was given the Robert L. Misner Award for Law Faculty Scholarship.

Dobbins joined Willamette in 2006 and teaches courses in administrative law, civil procedure, federal courts and Native American law. The Hudson Award celebrates distinguished teaching and leadership by a faculty member. Students regularly praise Dobbins for both his mastery of the material and his ability to communicate effectively even the most difficult and complicated concepts.

“Jeff is a consistently outstanding teacher, whose evaluations are second to none,” said Curtis Bridgeman, dean of the College of Law.

Symeonides is the dean emeritus of the College of Law and has taught for 40 years at several American and European universities. The Misner Award commends law faculty for their commitment to excellence. The nominee is selected by the dean, with input from faculty. Symeonides’ work has been routinely called “brilliant,” “masterful,” and “indispensable.”

“Symeon is an internationally known superstar as a scholar,” Bridgeman said. “With 26 books to his credit and more than 100 articles in seven languages, he is the foremost authority in the world on the subject of conflicts of laws.”

Award recipients receive a plaque and a $1,500 prize, funded by donations to Willamette University that are specifically marked for faculty recognition. Willamette commended five other university faculty members during convocation for significant contributions in their areas of teaching, research, and service.

About the Robert L. Misner Award for Law Faculty Scholarship

The Robert L. Misner Award for Law Faculty Scholarship is awarded each year to a Willamette University College of Law professor whose scholarship has contributed significantly to the national or international legal canon. The award was established in 2004 through an endowed gift from Kathi Misner to honor her late husband, Professor of Law and former College of Law Dean Robert L. Misner. Misner taught at the college from 1984 until his death in 2000 and was dean from 1987 to 1994. The awardee is selected by the College of Law dean based upon recent or overall scholarly impact. Prize amounts are decided annually and funded based on endowment income. Donors are welcome to contribute to the endowment, which rewards excellence and helps retain accomplished faculty.

To give to the Robert L. Misner Award for Law Faculty Scholarship, contact Rebecca Lerback at (503) 370-6837 or rclerback@willamette.edu.

About the Jerry E. Hudson Award for Excellence in Teaching

The Jerry E. Hudson Award for Excellence in Teaching is awarded annually to one professor from each college at Willamette University who demonstrates excellence in teaching and distinguished leadership. The award was established in 1998 by an endowed gift to honor Willamette University's 22nd president, Jerry E. Hudson. Hudson guided the university through massive expansion during his 17-year tenure between 1980 and 1997. Each college dean recommends a recipient based upon student course evaluations and proven leadership on and off campus. Recommendations are presented to the university's president for final selection. Prize amounts are decided annually and funded based on endowment income. Donors are welcome to contribute to the endowment, which rewards excellence and helps retain accomplished faculty.

To give to the Jerry E. Hudson Award for Excellence in Teaching, contact Rebecca Lerback at (503) 370-6837 or rclerback@willamette.edu.

About Willamette University College of Law

Opened in 1883, Willamette University College of Law is the first law school in the Pacific Northwest. The college has a long tradition at the forefront of legal education and is committed to the advancement of knowledge through excellent teaching, scholarship, mentoring and experience. Leading faculty, thriving externship and clinical law programs, ample practical skills courses, and a proactive career placement office prepare Willamette law students for today's legal job market. According to statistics compiled by the American Bar Association, Willamette ranks first in the Pacific Northwest for job placement for full-time, long-term, JD-preferred/JD-required jobs for the class of 2014 and first in Oregon for the classes of 2012, 2013 and 2014. Located across the street from the state capitol complex and the Oregon Supreme Court in downtown Salem, the college specializes in law and government, law and business, and dispute resolution.

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