Law School Honors Reveley with John Marshall Award
Interim William & Mary President Taylor Reveley received the John Marshall Award during the Law School's graduation ceremony on May 11. The award honors exceptional service to the Law School and was presented by interim Dean Lynda Butler.
In her remarks, Butler said that Reveley was well known as a leader and as someone who had "an unwavering commitment to public service." She quoted the interim president's credo that success is defined best in terms of service, made manifest by "deeds that make a difference in the life of another person or in the life of an institution."
Butler shared examples of Reveley's service in the world outside the College. He practiced law at Hunton & Williams for 28 years - nine as managing partner -and helped the firm reach "new global heights" during a transitional time in its history. He is an active member of numerous nonprofit boards, eagerly sharing "his vision, vast experience, and keen intellect" to make those institutions better.
Turning to his service to William & Mary, Butler employed one of his favorite expressions ("working doggedly hard") to describe Reveley's efforts as Law School dean. He bettered the institution on all fronts during the past ten years, she said, while "finding time to provide personal guidance and good cheer to any law student who asked." Butler concluded her remarks on a personal note, sharing her observation that it had not been easy for Reveley to answer the call to serve as interim president. "I saw the stress that the transition placed on him. I saw the sense of loss that he felt leaving his 'home,' the Law School," Butler said. "Yet he said yes, and is serving the entire College now - very selflessly."
The award honors the example of John Marshall (1755-1835) who served as the fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Marshall was among the first students to study law under the tutelage of George Wythe at William & Mary.