Lutzes and Class of 1975 Honored with Named Classrooms
Named Classrooms Dean Douglas leads a toast to Jake '81 and Robin Lutz and the Class of 1975 for their generous support of the Law School. Photo by David F. Morrill
Named Classrooms Jake Lutz, seen here with wife, Robin (right), told stories about his time as a student at the Law School. Photo by David F. Morrill
Named Classrooms Wayne Lee and Jim Metcalfe thanked Dean Douglas for the Class of 1975 Classroom, and made remarks on behalf of their Class of 1975 gift. Photo by David F. Morrill
Jake Lutz ’81 and his wife, Robin, and the Class of 1975 have donated generously to William & Mary Law School though the years. And now the Law School has named two North Wing classrooms in their honor.
The Jacob A. Lutz III and Robin R. Lutz Classroom (Room 134) and the Class of 1975 Classroom (Room 141) were officially dedicated during a reception on Friday, Nov. 11. On hand to honor the Lutz family and members of the Class of 1975 were Dean Davison M. Douglas, faculty, staff, and members of the Law School Foundation Board.
The Lutzes have supported the Law School’s For the Bold campaign through the Law Dean’s Visionary Fund. Providing unrestricted monies to realize opportunities as they rise, the fund helps the Dean with faculty hiring and retention, student financial aid, fellowships, staff recruitment, and more.
Jake is a partner at Troutman Saunders LLP in Richmond, and a member of the firm’s Financial Institutions, Corporate, M&A and Securities practices. He is also a member of the International and Education practices. Robin, a philanthropist, serves on and is past President of the Senior Board of VCU Children’s Hospital and is very active in the life of Richmond.
“Jake has a deep interest in higher education,” Douglas said. “He has been a member of the Board of Visitors at his undergraduate alma mater, Virginia Tech, and for many years served as rector of Virginia Tech.”
Offering brief remarks, Jake told two stories about his time as a student. One story involved working around illness during his first weeks at law school and how he came to “understand and appreciate the wisdom of the law school deans.” The second story demonstrated how, as a member of the first class to graduate from the current law building, he became aware of the importance of great facilities.
“It’s wonderful that your name will always be here,” Douglas said to the Lutzes. “Thank you for your support and your friendship, and for all that you do for our law school.”
Likewise praising the efforts of the Class of 1975 for their generosity, Douglas described the class’s great affection for former law Dean and William & Mary President Tim Sullivan. Sullivan joined the Law School faculty in 1972, the same year that the Class of 1975 began their law studies.
“On their 30th reunion they decided they wanted to honor Tim Sullivan by creating the Tim Sullivan Classroom,” Douglas said. “Well, they weren’t done, and for their 40th reunion they decided they wanted their own classroom.”
The 1975 Classroom was named as the class’s reunion gift. They donated to the Law School Annual Fund to give the Dean flexibility in applying their gift, and it will support the ongoing construction of the Hixon Center for Experiential Learning and Leadership.
The 1975 Class Reunion effort was led by Edward Blumberg, Mike Borasky, and Wayne Lee. Speaking on behalf of his fellow co-chairs, Wayne Lee of Lee Lowinger PC shared memories of his time at the Law School.
“When I look back, I can say that law school taught me how to be a good lawyer, and it gave me great opportunities,” Wayne said. “I think I can say my class supported this effort because they feel the same way.”
Douglas asked other members of the class in attendance if they wanted to make remarks, and Jim Metcalfe, retired from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Norfolk, added that faculty made a big difference in his life when he came to law school while finishing his term in the Navy.
“I came here and had a great time,” he said. “I am forever grateful to professors such as John Donaldson and to William & Mary.”
For more information about the For the Bold Campaign at the Law School, please visit https://forthebold.wm.edu/schools/law.html.
About William & Mary Law School
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.