MC School of Law Dean Wendy B. Scott visits Mississippi State

Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State University's Constitution Day speaker Wendy B. Scott, dean of the Mississippi College School of Law, reminded students Wednesday [Sept. 17] that law is an honorable profession.

"When you think about going to law school, remember that you are considering an honorable profession, one which plays a significant role in maintaining the system of democracy that we enjoy every day," Scott said.

"Every time a lawyer walks into court, it's not just about representing their client," said the the New York University School of Law Juris Doctor graduate who also holds a bachelor's in philosophy from Harvard University. "It's about protecting the legal system that people have fought and died to establish, going all the way back to before we had a Constitution."

In his remark prior to the formal address, Jerry Gilbert, provost and executive vice president, expressed pleasure at having "a scholar of Dean Scott's caliber on our campus."

"As a national expert on race law, constitutional law and theory and school desegregation whose work has appeared in a number of prestigious professional journals, Dean Scott brings some great experience and an excellent background to her new position.

"We are delighted that our students who go on to attend Mississippi College's School of Law will have the opportunity to work with her," Gilbert added.

Also making remarks was K.C. Morrison, professor and head of the political science and public administration department.

In addition to exploring the ways in which foreign law influenced the formation of the U.S. Constitution, Scott discussed how the U.S. Constitution influenced the formation of constitutional documents in other nations around the world.

"The idea of adopting a constitution may still trace its inspiration to the United States," she said.

"While the influence of the U.S. Constitution has waxed and waned in the development of international constitutionalism, there is no doubt that it continues to serve as a beacon of liberty at home and abroad," Scott emphasized.

In addition to MSU's Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President and Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Scott's visit was sponsored by the Mississippi State University Libraries system and the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development.

Details about MSU's Department of Political Science and Public Administration are available at www.pspa.msstate.edu.

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