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

DEAN’S MESSAGE

As I look back on my five years as Dean of the University of Houston Law Center, I am
proud of all we have accomplished as an institution, as thought leaders with cutting edge
scholarship, and, most importantly, as educators empowering students with the knowledge
and skills needed to succeed in the practice of law — and life.
The academic credentials of our entering classes have risen steadily; we have hired
outstanding faculty members; and we have several consistently highly ranked specialty
programs. We have also earned high marks in terms of quality, cost, employment, and other
key areas. We have broadened our community and global outreach, launched new programs
to diversify the legal profession, expanded our pro bono efforts to reach those most in need
of legal assistance, and increased alumni involvement.

A decades-long dream of replacing the 50-year-old Law Center complex with a new facility
is now a reality. On August 23, 2019, the University of Houston System Board of Regents
approved $78 million in funding for a new Law Center building. It was announced that
the John M. O’Quinn Foundation donated more than $16 million, a major portion of which
supports the construction of the new facility. It is the largest single gift in the Law Center’s
history. In permanent recognition of the gift, the new facility will be named the “The John
M. O’Quinn Law Building.” The late John M. O’Quinn was a UH Law alumnus, an
accomplished attorney and philanthropist, and one of the university’s most enthusiastic
supporters.
The More Than Bricks Campaign has now 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 to ensure the new facility matches
the caliber of the Law Center’s students, programs and faculty.
The past five years have been extraordinary — challenging and rewarding. We are at the
mid-point of our five-year “Strategic Vision” for the future in which we set a high bar. We
have met many of those goals and with your help, we will meet — and exceed — the rest.

Sincerely,

Leonard M. Baynes
Dean and Professor of Law

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