Dear Law, Societies, and Justice Alumni and Friends:
I write with exciting news of an important symbolic shift in the history of Law, Societies, and Justice.
As both Society and Justice, and then Law, Societies, and Justice, we have always provided a challenging and relevant interdisciplinary education to our majors. The inspiring and productive career paths of our alumni provide the best testament to our success in this aim.
In all of the combined 44 years of first SoJu, and then LSJ, our unit has been a Program. This status made sense as long as we were fairly small, with few faculty, staff and students.
Yet the story is very different today.
For the past two years, we have had more than 200 majors. We now have eight faculty with appointments in LSJ; four staff; and our own dedicated space (on the mezzanine level of Smith). We are thriving today more energetically than ever.
And, I'm happy to report, the University has taken notice. In a move that symbolizes our current strength and dynamism, the University has granted us departmental status.
So, yes, we have a new title: the Department of Law, Societies, and Justice!
While this changes nothing about our day-to-day work, we are grateful for the University's recognition of our vibrant intellectual and public service life. Together, with our alumni and friends, the LSJ community has transformed our students in profound ways. Just a few of our many forms of student support include:
- Scholarships for LSJ majors studying abroad through the Karin Stromberg Endowed Fund;
- In-prison educational experiences made possible by the Timothy Richard Wettack Endowed Fund;
- Nearly 60 alumni and current students paired up during the 2017 mentorship program;
- Eight alumni participating in our unique "Learning from Failure" course.
This growing list is only possible because of the generosity and care of so many different people.
Without you, LSJ would not accomplish so much, and would not now be a Department. So, on behalf of all the students who you've helped shape–as intellects, as people, and as citizens–I wish to thank you.
We look forward to our continued work with you as we write the next chapters of our story.
Sincerely,
Steve Herbert, Mark Torrance Professor and Department Chair
Department of Law, Societies and Justice