A new book by retired Superior Court Judge Mark Thomas, From Promise To Prominence: The Santa Clara University School of Law shines the spotlight on the history of the law school at Santa Clara University.
From its initial class of 14 young men in 1914 through the graduation of 276 men and women in the spring of 2002, the book chronicles the growth of the law school from a tiny graduate school to a prestigious national legal institution. The law school’s near displacement to an off-campus location, the enrollment of women and the evolution of specialized programs are some of the highlights of the book. The book also chronicles student humor through the ages and the antics of Zachary the dog.
Thomas is a 1956 graduate of Santa Clara’s law school. He entered law school after his return from the Korean War where he served as platoon leader in the Marine Corps. He was elected president of the West Valley Bar Association in 1967 and the Santa Clara County Bar Association in 1971. Thomas describes his work on the history of Santa Clara law school as a labor of love and has donated the book to the law school.
Copies of the book are available at the SCU book store for $25, plus tax and shipping.
