May 09, 2011
The Law School community’s strong commitment to serving the common
good was on display at this year’s
Public Interest Auction. Students, faculty, administrators and
alumni came together for a luau-themed event sponsored by the
Public Interest Center, Student Public Interest Committee and
BarBri. Through silent and live auctions and other festiviites,
participants raised over $100,000, a record for this popular
event.
Prizes included a walk on role in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire
donated by Executive Producer and writer
Terence Winter ’88; theater and sporting events tickets; and
autographed memorabilia and gift baskets.With a great assist from
returning auctioneer Harmer Johnson, participants also vied for
experiences with faculty and administrators, including wiffle ball
and dinner at the home of Dean
Michael A. Simons and a weekend in Vermont with Vice Dean
Emeritus
Andrew J. Simons. The Alumni Association and Erica B. Fine ’82
each donated full Public Interest Summer Fellowships. Mark T.
O’Rourke ’02 and the Class of 2002 donated a half Summer Fellowship
in memory of classmates Matthew J. Farrell, Brian J. Peterson and
Paul J. Reilly.
Photo Gallery
“I am delighted that the Auction was such a success,” said
Rachel Andron, Director of the Public Interest Center. “The
Public Interest Committee’s student chairs and volunteers worked
tirelessly and our donors ― administration, faculty, alumni, local
vendors and students ― were incredibly generous.” Thanks to this
collaborative effort on behalf of the Law School’s
Public Interest Fellowship Program, students will have the
support they need to work in the public interest this summer and
engage in public service projects. “At St. John’s, we are committed
to creating a legal community that emphasizes lawyers’ ethical
obligation to pursue social justice and that builds upon our Vincentian
mission to serve the needy and less fortunate,” said Dean
Simons. “The Auction’s success allows our students to act on that
mission purposefully and meaningfully.”
Reflecting on the evening, Public Interest Committee Co-chair
Christine Guida ‘11 said: “This year’s auction was a great success
and I am so happy that we were able to break yet another record.
The cafeteria was packed with people who were ready to raise their
paddles and bid high. My fellow co-chairs did an amazing job
planning the event, but we couldn’t have done any of it without the
support of our wonderful faculty, staff and administration.”