Skip to content
Stetson Law Logo

September 22- Marine Corps’ Chief of Oral History to discuss military commissions for alleged Al Queda operatives

Contact Frank Klim
Executive Director of Communications
(727) 562-7889

Gulfport, Fla. – Dr. Gary Solis, the U.S. Marine Corps’ Chief of Oral History will deliver two presentations at Stetson University College of Law, Tuesday, Sept. 23, at noon and 5 p.m. in Stetson’s Great Hall.

In response to 9/11, the Bush Administration urged using military commissions rather than civilian courts to try alleged Al Queda operatives. Dr. Solis will review the constitutionality of these commissions.

Dr. Solis is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who served two Vietnam tours. A former Marine Corps judge advocate and military judge, Dr. Solis attended law school at the University of California at Davis and holds a Master of Laws degree in criminal law from George Washington University.

He earned a Ph.D. in law of war from The London School of Economics & Political Science, where he taught law for three years. He taught at the United States Military Academy from 1996-2001, receiving Phi Kappa Phi’s Distinguished Teaching Award and the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service and Superior Civilian Service medals. At West Point he founded and directed the Academy’s law of war program. He currently teaches the law of war at the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, in San Remo, Italy, and at Georgetown University Law Center, where he is an adjunct professor.

His books are Marines and Military Law in Vietnam and the award-winning Son Thang: An American War Crime. His articles have appeared in law journals, magazines, and newspapers. He was the United States Naval Institute’s 1997 Author of the Year, and is a member of the bars of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, the District of Columbia, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

September 10- Inaugural International Conference on Law and Aging

Contact Frank Klim
Executive Director of Communications
(727) 562-7889

Gulfport, Fla. – The world’s leading experts on the legal issues of aging will gather during a conference Nov. 6 – 7 at the Radisson Resort Parkway in Kissimmee, Fla., near Orlando. The conference is sponsored by Stetson University College of Law, AARP, the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, and the National Senior Citizens Law Center.

Topics include fraud and elder abuse, access to health care, age discrimination, international human rights and guardianship across national borders.

“As the AARP seeks to become more involved in international policy making, this conference will bring together global thinking on the topic of law and aging. We chose to work with Stetson as a leader in law and aging among law schools,” said Wayne Moore, AARP’s Director of Advocacy Planning.

Program co-chair and Stetson professor Rebecca C. Morgan said various nations have much to share on the treatment of their senior population. “Aging issues cross borders, ethnicity and cultures.” Professor Morgan is director of Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law.

Policy makers, academicians, attorneys and others interested in the area of elder law throughout the world are encouraged to attend the conference. To learn more about the conference visit www.law.stetson.edu/CLE/ or call (727) 562-7830.

AARP, www.aarp.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. They provide information and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for their members. AARP has offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Stetson University College of Law www.law.stetson.edu is a part of Stetson University, Florida’s first private university. Stetson is a comprehensive university with four distinct programs in arts and sciences, music, business and law at campuses in DeLand, Celebration and Gulfport/St. Petersburg.

September 5- Media Advisory: Stetson Law campus to close for Tropical Storm Henri

Contact Davina Gould
Assistant Director of Communications
(727) 562-7346

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law will close at noon today, Friday, Sept. 5, as a precaution for Tropical Storm Henri. All Friday afternoon classes are canceled. The College of Law will remain closed over the weekend and is expected to reopen on Monday morning.

Additional information and updates will be posted online on the Stetson University College of Law Web site at www.law.stetson.edu.

August 25- Stetson Law Professor inspires teens to set new goals

Contact Frank Klim
Director of Communications
(727) 562-7889

Gulfport, Fla. – Middle and high school students from St. Petersburg’s YWCA gathered on the Stetson Law campus Saturday, August 23 to hear professor Dorothea Beane present the seminar, “Preparation for College and Beyond.”

Professor Beane is a strong advocate of early planning for college and graduate school. “It’s never too early to plan for success in college,” said Beane.
Her seminars provide information about resources to help finance college. The seminars also encourage parents, relatives and students to partner in the college admission process. “We hope these sessions will inspire students to excel in high school while learning effective tools to pave the way for academic pursuits,” said Beane.

Ninth grader Da-Niedre Tigg said the seminar helped reinforce the value of getting good grades. “I will study harder,” she said.

Professor Beane teaches Pre-Trial Practice, International Human Rights Law and Civil Procedure. Professor Beane has also worked extensively in the Hague on matters involving International Criminal Law and Human Rights.

American Bar Association honors Stetson Law students, faculty

Contact Frank Klim
Executive Director of Communications
727-562-7889

Tampa Bay, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law students and faculty received several honors from the American Bar Association during its 2003 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Aug. 7-12.

Stetson’s Student Bar Association was awarded the “SBA of the Year” award for 2002-2003. Stetson is one of 187 ABA-approved law schools. Stetson also won this award for the 1999-2000 year.

“We are tremendously honored to win this award. We know that the ABA looks at student bar associations that promote diversity on campus, community service and professionalism,” said Dean Darby Dickerson. “Our students work very hard to present interesting programs on campus and to serve the greater community.”

Third-year student Lauren Hosie was re-elected to the ABA House of Delegates by the Law Student Division. She is one of only three students from across the country elected to represent the 49,000 plus members of the ABA Law Student Division.

In other news, Dean Emeritus and Distinguished University Professor Lizabeth A. Moody was elected to become the first female Chair of the Senior Lawyers Division. Dean Gary Vause, who passed away on May 9 of this year, was posthumously inducted into the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers of the ABA. His nomination had been approved just days before his death.

The American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership association in the world. With more than 410,000 members, the ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.

August 5- Tampa Bay, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law students and faculty received several honors from the American Bar Association during its 2003 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Aug. 7-12.

Contact Davina Gould
Assistant Director of Communications
(727) 562-7346

Gulfport, Fla. – Stetson University College of Law will hold two information sessions about its part-time evening program. The sessions will be Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 6:15 p.m. on Stetson’s Gulfport campus, and Sept. 17 at 6:15 p.m. at the University Club of Tampa for those interested in attending classes in Fall 2004.

The part-time law program at Stetson will enter its second year with orientation beginning Aug. 9. “Not only is our part-time program attracting some of the brightest professionals in the Tampa Bay area who are pursuing their dreams of a law degree by taking courses in the evenings, but we are also seeing several from out-of-state or elsewhere in Florida who are coming to the program to obtain a Stetson law degree,” said Jan Majewski, Associate Dean, Tampa campus.

Part-time law students will take courses at both Stetson’s Gulfport campus and Tampa Law Center and Campus, opening January 2004. “We are very excited about the opening of Tampa Law Center and Campus, which will be a state-of-the art facility for learning the law, especially with the presence of the state appellate court in the building. Those students who begin in the Fall 2004 will be the first class to start their legal education in our Tampa facility,” said Majewski.

To attend these free information sessions, contact Stetson’s Office of Admissions at www.law.stetson.edu/parttime or (727) 562-7802.

July 11- American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter honors Stetson University College of Law with ‘Good Neighbor Award’

Contact Davina Gould
Assistant Director of Communications
(727) 562-7346

Gulfport, Fla. – The Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross awarded Stetson University College of Law a Good Neighbor Award at its recent annual meeting in Safety Harbor.

The award was presented to organizations that “made a significant humanitarian contribution to the local community in support of the American Red Cross.” Stetson supported the Tampa Bay chapter’s Speakers Bureau by providing facilities, equipment and staff support for its volunteer training session.

“Stetson is proud to offer assistance to the American Red Cross,” said Dean Darby Dickerson, who is also a board member for the organization’s Tampa chapter. “Many Stetson students and professors have participated in chapter events.”

Professor Richard Graves, instructor of legal research and writing, accepted the award on behalf of Stetson on June 26 at Safety Harbor Resort and Spa.

July 7- Stetson’s Rebecca Morgan honored by Florida Supreme Court Commission for faculty professionalism

Contact Davina Gould
Assistant Director of Communications
(727) 562-7346

Gulfport, Fla. – The Florida Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism awarded Stetson University College of Law professor Rebecca C. Morgan its annual Faculty Professionalism Award last week at a judicial luncheon in Orlando.

“Professor Morgan is the consummate professional, and through her work in the classroom and by example, has instilled the ideals of professionalism in countless people affiliated with the justice system,” said Stetson’s Dean Darby Dickerson, who nominated Morgan for the award.

Professor Morgan directs Stetson’s Center for Excellence in Elder Law. A national leader in the field of elder law, Morgan has spearheaded unique partnerships with AARP, the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the legal community to increase public awareness of consumer fraud against senior citizens. She also received the 2003 Wm. Reece Smith Jr. Public Service Award from Stetson.

The award was presented by Justice Raoul Cantero on June 26 during the Florida Bar’s 2003 Annual Meeting at the Orlando World Center Marriott.

June 12- ‘Topping Off’ planned for Stetson’s Tampa campus

Contact Frank Klim
Executive Director of Communications
(727) 562-7889

Tampa Bay, Fla. – Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and Stetson Law Dean Darby Dickerson will lead a ‘Topping Off’ ceremony for Stetson’s new Law Center and Campus on Friday, June 20 at 9:30 a.m. at the 1700 N. Tampa St. construction site just off Interstate 275.

The event marks the symbolic halfway point in the construction schedule. High above North Tampa Street, crews will set in place the steel framework for the building’s tower. Welded into the tower frame is a time capsule containing writing materials, newspaper articles and images of Stetson’s late dean, Gary Vause, who died of cancer on May 9. Dean Vause spearheaded the college’s efforts to build a Tampa campus.

The Stetson Law Center and Campus will be a major hub for legal activity in downtown Tampa and will house evening law classes, the Tampa branch of the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, and continuing legal education programs. Construction is expected to finish by December, with classes starting in January.

Before the final section of steel is lifted into place, attendees will be encouraged to sign their names on the steel framework. The event is open to the public.

“I am pleased to celebrate with the Tampa community our progress on this significant project,” said Jan Majewski, associate dean of the Tampa campus.

The three-story, 73,500-square-foot building will reflect the same Spanish-Mediterranean architecture of Stetson’s Gulfport campus, including a tower that will overlook downtown Tampa. The first and second floors will house classrooms, a state-of-the-art courtroom, a law library and other law school space. The third floor will house chambers and offices for the Florida Second District Court of Appeal. The general contractor is Angle & Schmid and the architectural firm is FleischmanGarcia.

May 9- Gary Vause, Stetson University College of Law Dean, dies

Contact Frank Klim
Director of Communications
(727) 562-7889

Gulfport, Fla. – Gary Vause, dean and vice president of Stetson University College of Law and a renowned legal scholar, died of cancer May 9 at his Gulfport home. He was 60. In late April, Dean Vause told a campus-wide gathering he would retire July 31 because of his cancer.

“Since his appointment as a faculty member at the College in 1975, Dr. Vause provided exemplary service as teacher, scholar, administrator, Vice President and Dean. He literally had a hand in virtually every major initiative at the College since his arrival, and we are truly grateful. His work on dispute resolution and international programs is world-renowned. And, his leadership in establishing the Tampa law school program provided one of the most important strategic initiatives for Stetson University in the 21st century. Gary was respected by all, and was a dear colleague and friend. The entire Stetson University community celebrates his life and mourns his passing,” said Stetson President Doug Lee.

Vause first joined the law school 28 years ago as assistant dean and was named dean four years ago. He spearheaded Stetson’s new Tampa Law Center and Campus, which is currently under construction in downtown Tampa. Vause worked to advance academic excellence, increase diversity and expand a global focus at the College of Law.

Dean Vause also either established or contributed greatly to a number of other Stetson programs, including its Master of Laws (LL.M.) program in International Law and Business; the Center for Excellence in Dispute Resolution; the joint J.D./M.B.A. degree program with Stetson’s School of Business Administration; and summer abroad programs in Granada, Spain and Tallinn, Estonia. He also expanded Stetson’s curriculum in health and elder law.

Under Dean Vause’s leadership, Stetson University College of Law recently earned another first place ranking for its trial advocacy program from U.S. News & World Report. As he has done in the past, Dean Vause credited the Stetson Law community for this prestigious ranking. “Working together, Stetson’s strong faculty, outstanding students and supportive alumni have inspired and motivated us to higher levels of academic excellence,” he said.

A Tallahassee native and the first member of his family to attend college, Dean Vause earned B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Connecticut, LL.M. and S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science) degrees from the University of Virginia, and a certificate in Mandarin Chinese from Yale University. He served as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in China and was elected a member of the American Law Institute. In addition to Mandarin, he also spoke Portuguese and Spanish. He served in the Air Force during the early 1960s and was proud of his military career.

Before coming to Stetson, Vause managed his own law firm in Hartford, Conn., specializing in labor and employment law.

Memorial services will be at Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 5800 15th Ave. S., Gulfport, Fla. On Monday, May 12, will be a gathering at 5 p.m., a wake service at 7 p.m., and a rosary at 9 p.m. A requiem mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13. Dean Vause will be buried in his family plot in Tallahassee, Fla.

Dean Vause leaves behind his wife Maria Celia Vause, a brother Robert Vause, a sister Suzanne Long, their spouses, and nephews David Chad Strickland and John Daniel Long III.

In lieu of flowers, the Vause family requests that donations be made to the Stetson University College of Law Scholarship Fund for International LL.M Students.

Donations can be sent to Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st St. S., Gulfport, Fla. 33707.

May 8- Stetson University College of Law offers first classes in Celebration, Fla.

Contact Davina Gould
Assistant Director of Communications
(727) 562-7346

Gulfport, Fla. – The College of Law will begin offering summer courses at the Stetson University Center at Celebration, located near Orlando. The first day of classes is May 17.

The first Celebration courses are targeted toward law students who would be working in summer positions near Orlando. The first courses offered at the Celebration Center will be “Interviewing, Counseling, and Negotiation” on Monday and Wednesday evenings and “Land Use Planning” on Saturday mornings.

“We are excited about having a presence in the Orlando area, where so many of our students live and work,” said Vice Dean Darby Dickerson. “This will give them an opportunity to take Stetson classes during the summer while living at home or working with the firm or agency of their choice.”

For information about registering for classes at Celebration, contact the College of Law Registrar’s Office at (727) 562-7803.