Onlookers witnessed a rainbow of caps and gowns as University of Memphis faculty and alumni marched through downtown dressed in the colors of their alma maters.
The guests gathered Friday for the first off-campus faculty convocation, a yearly event The University organizes to honor outstanding faculty. The 23rd annual convocation was accompanied by the public dedication of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.
Shirley Raines, president of The University, said it is important to honor exceptional service to higher learning.
"We are grateful for their commitment to excellence and their generosity," she said of faculty members.
Ernö Lindner, professor of biomedical engineering, received the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award, the highest distinction given to a faculty member by The University.
"It is a humbling experience to receive this award," Lindner said. "I consider my award a recognition of my excellent colleagues."
Mark Long, president of The U of M Alumni Association, said Lindner excelled not only in research but also in the classroom.
"His approach to teaching leaves a great impact on his students," he said.
Lindner said he hopes to continue to serve The U of M through quality research.
"It is my goal to give back as much as I can to The University," he said.
Police escorted the mini-parade west on Madison Avenue to the front of the new law school on Front Street, where guests were greeted with music from the Graduate Brass Quintet. The ceremony began with a dedication of the building housing the law school.
Raines said the law school was a great accomplishment for The University.
"We have a truly world-class facility with beauty, grandeur and historical significance for the legal community," she said.
The former U.S. customs house, post office and federal courthouse is located in the heart of the legal community in Memphis. Raines said the location and history of the building were pivotal in the decision to move the school.
"The benefits that we are gaining through the former United States Customs House, a former courthouse and a former post office, are formers no more because now this is the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law," she said.
Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., attended the event and helped raise The University of Memphis flag at the old courthouse.
"It's with great honor that I am here today," he said. "I was fortunate to have attended The University of Memphis law school some years back."
Cohen said the legal profession is one of the principles our country was founded on.
"We work our things out with lawyers," he said. "We wouldn't be the great country that we are if it weren't for lawyers."
Charles Manning, chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents, said the new law school marked an important step in making The University a nationally recognized institution.
"This is an incredible mark of accomplishment," he said. "It took an incredible effort to get all this in place."
