Law Library’s Blaiklock Honored with 2015 John Marshall Award
John Marshall Award 2015 Dean Douglas awarded this year's John Marshall Award to the Wolf Law Library's Circulation Desk and Reserve Supervisor Steve Blaiklock. Photo by Gretchen Bedell
As the circulation desk and reserve supervisor at the Wolf Law Library, Steve Blaiklock is a highly visible member of the William & Mary Law community. During this year’s Law School diploma ceremony on May 17, Steve became even more visible when he received the 2015 John Marshall Award to loud applause from the audience.
“Every institution needs a Steve Blaiklock,” said Dean Davison M. Douglas as he presented Blaiklock with the award. “Steve does much more than run the circulation desk; he is the Law Library’s--and indeed the Law School’s--Everyman. If something needs doing, Steve’s going to take care of it.”
The John Marshall Award is given each year to a member of the faculty or staff who have demonstrated character, leadership, and a spirit of selfless service to the Law School community. The award honors the achievements of John Marshall (1755-1835), the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, who is credited with laying the foundations of American constitutional law. Marshall was among the first students to study law under the tutelage of George Wythe at William & Mary.
Blaiklock began working at the Law Library in September 1997 as a part-time office services assistant. A year later, he was promoted to circulation desk and reserve supervisor, quickly becoming known for training and instilling in his team very high levels of service. Indeed, the circulation crew is constantly praised for professionalism and friendliness.
Douglas also described Blaiklock as law students’ “go-to person” for computer support.
“He prepares guides that students use to set up their computers for printing and internet access,” Douglas said. “By the way, computer assistance is not in Steve’s job description; it’s just something he does to be helpful.”
A self-described techie, Blaiklock works regularly with the Law Library web site. He took an active role in creating Wythepedia, the wiki about the Law School’s George Wythe collection. He helps staff with computer glitches, and has been known to crawl under and behind desks if needed to solve problems.
“[Blaiklock] is truly one of the unsung heroes, of the Law School,” Douglas said. “ Steve, you give true meaning to the concept of going the extra mile.”
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Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.