Alumni Weekend 2004

Alumni Weekend was once again a smashing success. Over the weekend of October 21 to 24, more than 1,000 Stanford Law School alumni, family, and friends came to campus to renew old friendships, engage in stimulating discussions, and have some plain old fun. And no one who was there will soon forget the Stanford men's swim team who interrupted a Friday afternoon panel on outsourcing by jogging through Kresge Auditorium wearing nothing but Speedos, yelling "Stanford swimming!"

Those attending this year's festivities were also treated to the Stanford Law School Decanal Installation Celebration, at which Larry D. Kramer was formally instated as the law school's 12th dean. Tents were set up on Stanford's Main Quadrangle, a spectacular location for an evening of cocktails and dinner. Stanford President John L. Hennessy and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer (BA '59) were among those welcoming Kramer to the university.

Befitting the Stanford setting, several engaging and timely panel discussions were held before enthusiastic crowds. The most memorable was the Saturday morning panel on judicial independence, featuring three seated alumni judges from the nation's highest courts and moderated by Kramer. [See article on p. 15.] There was an overflow crowd as well for the Friday morning panel on U.S. foreign policy and presidential politics held at Memorial Auditorium. Coming just weeks before the presidential election, the discussion was at times spirited, with former U.S. secretary of defense William J. Perry (BS '49, MS '50) expressing his support for Senator John Kerry, and former U.S. secretary of state George P. Shultz defending President George Bush's foreign policy.

And it wouldn't have been Alumni Weekend without plenty of time for socializing. The festivities opened Thursday evening with the traditional Dean's Circle dinner. The weekend closed with what for many is one of the highlights of the affair-the reunion dinners-a chance for alumni to get together with members of their class to reminisce and enjoy the evening.

During a memorable dinner held on Stanford's Main Quadrangle, Larry D. Kramer was formally installed as the Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean. The Friday program featured remarks by Stanford President John L. Hennessy (left) and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer (BA '59) (right). Photo: Steve Gladfelter	Alex Michael Duarte '84, wife Patricia, and sons Michael and Matthew attended the Stanford football game held Saturday afternoon at Stanford Stadium. Unfortunately, the Cardinal lost to Oregon by a score of 13 to 16. Photo: Ken Barrett '84	(Left to right) LaVerne and Hon. Wade H. McCree '84 relaxed during Saturday's tailgate party luncheon with Class Correspondent Nathan E. Arnell '84. Photo: Steve Gladfelter
William H. Neukom '67 (right) took a moment to converse with Sarah Delson and her husband, Larry D. Kramer, Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean. Photo: Steve Gladfelter	Alumni Weekend opened Thursday with the Dean's Circle dinner. Isaac Stein, JD/MBA '72, who recently retired as chairman of Stanford's Board of Trustees, was the keynote speaker. The topic of his speech was "Does Stanford Need A Law School?" His conclusion, "Yes." Photo: Steve Gladfelter	Hon. Roscoe S. Wilkey '54 (BA '51), and his wife, Norada, celebrated his 50th law reunion. Photo: Steve Gladfelter
The a cappella singing group Stanford Fleet Street Singers entertained diners during the Friday alumni luncheon held in the law school's Cooley Courtyard. Photo: Steve Gladfelter	Reunion Chair Stephen M. Ray '79 (left) and Class Correspondent Jeffrey M. Lipshaw '79 enjoy a moment during the volunteer leadership summit. Photo: Steve Gladfelter	Assistant Professor of Law Jenny S. Martinez spoke on "The War on Terror: Human Rights vs. National Security" as part of Classes without Quizzes. Photo: Steve Gladfelter
Members of the Class of 1974 provided a warm welcome to Larry D. Kramer, Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean. Kramer visited and spoke at each of the 10 class reunion dinners held Saturday evening. Photo: Misha Bruk	The rain held off for most of the weekend, but on Saturday evening it let loose. Despite the inclement weather, the reunion dinners once again proved to be one of the most popular events of Alumni Weekend. Photo: Misha Bruk