Leary Davis, founding dean of the Elon University School of Law, gave the keynote address at Downtown Greensboro’s first annual “Report to the Community,” Sept. 22. About 100 members of the Greensboro community gathered at the Elm Street Center for the event.
Davis updated the group on the progress of the law school, which he called one of downtown’s “newest and most enthusiastic partners.”
Renovations to the law school building, located at the intersection of North Greene Street and West Friendly Avenue, are ahead of schedule and the school has commitments from the majority of its first-year faculty, the dean said. The school will open in fall 2006 with a projected enrollment of 100 students.
Davis also spoke about the vision shown by community members and organizations in revitalizing the downtown area. “The implications of uniting your vision with action have been profound,” he said.
The diversity of downtown Greensboro is one of its greatest assets, Davis said, explaining that the resulting synergy allows for self-renewal.
Elon law students will join the 25,000 college students currently within a mile of downtown, said Ray Gibbs, president of Downtown Greensboro Inc. Gibbs described the growth the downtown area has experienced since 1999 and said development could exceed $200 million in the next five years.