Elon honors The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation

Elon President Leo M. Lambert led an event recognizing the Foundation's support for Elon Law totaling more than $8 million.

At an August 7 ceremony held at Elon University School of Law in downtown Greensboro, Elon University President Leo M. Lambert presented Jim Melvin, President of The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, with a crystal gavel recognizing the Foundation’s major gifts in support of the law school.

The ceremony included an announcement of The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation’s most recent gift to Elon, the title to the 84,000 square foot H. Michael Weaver Building (Elon Law’s primary facility at 201 North Greene Street in downtown Greensboro) valued at more than $2 million. The transfer of the title of the H. Michael Weaver Building brings the Foundation’s total support for Elon University School of Law to more than $8 million.

“The support of The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation was foundational to the creation of Elon University School of Law and continues to be crucial to the development of the law school as a national model of engaged learning in legal education,” said Lambert. “Elon is grateful for the enduring vision of Mr. Bryan, to Jim Melvin for his leadership, and to the board of directors of The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation for their unflagging support. Elon University School of Law is exactly where it needs to be in downtown Greensboro, and we are delighted today to be able to call this building home.”

In 2004, Melvin and Lambert spearheaded a campaign to raise start-up funding to locate Elon University School of Law in downtown Greensboro. The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation and several other foundations, corporations and individuals participated in a successful drive to provide the $10 million needed to supplement Elon funding for the launch of the school.

In 2008, a $1 million gift from the Bryan Foundation established the Joseph M. Bryan Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series, bringing national leaders to Greensboro to speak with law students and the broader community.

“Elon Law would not exist without the support provided by a number of North Carolina’s most respected philanthropists and civic leaders, especially Jim Melvin and The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation,” said law school dean George R. Johnson, Jr. “The achievements of Elon Law and the contributions that its students and alumni make to the betterment of the profession and society are linked directly to the generous contributions made by these outstanding individuals and foundations. We want to continue to work to be worthy of the confidence that the Bryan Foundation and the community of Greensboro has reposed in us and the spirit of Mr. Bryan who continues to emanate his presence in all that happens in this community.”

In addition to the presentation of the crystal gavel, the August 7 ceremony included the presentation of commemorative pens to members of The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation board of directors by Ellen M. Gregg, a member of the Elon University Law School Advisory Board and Partner, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC.

 

About the H. Michael Weaver Building

In 2006, the law school’s primary facility at 201 North Green Street in Greensboro, NC was named the H. Michael Weaver Building in honor of the prominent business leader and philanthropist. The naming recognized Weaver’s lifetime of service and generosity to the Greensboro community and to North Carolina. In recognition of their leadership, Melvin and Weaver received honorary doctor of laws degrees from Elon in 2006.

The 84,000 square foot facility underwent a $6 million renovation before the charter class of the law school enrolled in fall 2006. Classrooms in the Weaver Building provide a full range of cutting-edge technology, enabling faculty members to take innovative approaches to teaching law. Wireless internet access is available throughout the building.

The building houses one of three North Carolina Business Courts, making Elon the first law school to house a working court of the state. The court holds session in the Robert E. Long Courtroom on the main floor of the Weaver Building.

In addition, the Weaver Building houses five classrooms, one of which serves as a second courtroom for trial practice, several seminar rooms, a jury room, offices for faculty and staff, office space for the North Carolina Business Court, a commons area for law students, a coffee shop and a law library with an extensive print and electronic collection, a computer lab, study carrels and numerous group study rooms.