Page 26 - Dean's Report - 5 Years of Accomplishments

DEVELOPMENT

MORE THAN BRICKS

One of the most visionary goals during Dean Baynes’s five year tenure as dean has been to advocate for a
building that will transform the learning experience of Law Center students. “A world-class law school in
a world-class city requires a world-class building,” said Baynes. “The current building does not match the
high caliber of a University of Houston Law Center education and its faculty.” A fundraising campaign —
“More Than Bricks” — was launched and drew broad support.

On Aug. 22, 2019, the University of Houston System Board of Regents approved $78 million for
construction of a new law school building. Funding came from private contributions, state appropriations
and the University. The John M. O’Quinn Foundation donated more than $16 million to the UH Law
Center, a significant portion of which supports the construction of a new law building. It is the largest
single gift in the Law Center’s history. The new facility will be named The John M. O’Quinn Law Building.
The More Than Bricks Campaign has currently topped $90 million toward a new Law Center building.
With the campaign approaching its last phase, the Law Center is announcing a $1 million match to help
us reach our goal of $93 million.

We now enter the Capstone Phase of fundraising with a goal to raise approximately an additional $3
million by May 31, 2020 for the new building to ensure that we have enough space for future growth
in size, to enhance our career development efforts, to have the latest up-to-date technology, to have
funding for building maintenance and upgrades, and additional event infrastructure to provide for more
activities in the new building. Please contact Associate Director of Development Rachel Wardzinski at
713.743.4546 or rlwardzi@central.uh.edu for more information.

The Law Center received substantial support for a new building from UH President and System
Chancellor Dr. Renu Khator, who made it her No. 1 priority during the 2019 Texas legislative session.
Additional meaningful support came from UH Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Paula Myrick Short, Vice Chancellor of Governmental & Community Relations Jason Smith, and Vice
President for University Advancement Eloise Brice. The Law Center also thanks alumni leaders Bill
Jackson ’92, Jim Grace ’92, Victor Wright ’98, Cynthia Mabry ’10, Richard Whiteley ’99, Susan Bickley ’84,
and Bill Swenson ’87, members of the Cornerstone Club as well as the Law Center team of Senior Director
of Development Magda Herrera, Executive Director of Law Alumni Relations Hope Young, Associate Dean
Greg R. Vetter, Associate Dean of Alumni and Community Relations Sondra Tennessee, and Assistant
Dean of Communications and Marketing Carrie Anna Criado ’95.

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