[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE RETIREMENT OF CUMBERLAND LAW SCHOOL DEAN PARHAM H. WILLIAMS, JR.

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, the long-time dean of Cumberland Law 
School of Samford University, Dr. Parham H. Williams, Jr., will retire 
on June 1, 1996. When he leaves his position at the Birmingham, AL, law 
school, he will have served a total of 25 years as a law school dean, 
14 at the University of Mississippi and 11 at Cumberland. His tenure as 
a dean is such that his title has virtually become a part of his name. 
Even his grandchildren call him ``Dean.''
  Dean Williams is widely known for his involvement in the legal 
community and his outstanding performance as an academician. He has 
strengthened Cumberland's program by recruiting a superb faculty which 
has added a diversity of talents and ideas. He oversaw the 
revitalization of the faculty through the development and 
implementation of sabbatical, promotion, tenure, and governance 
policies and procedures.
  The size of its entering class was decreased by 15 percent at a time 
when the number of applications increased over 200 percent. As a 
result, the average admissions criteria have been raised to new 
heights. The academic excellence of the law school has also been 
enhanced through initiatives such as increased alumni involvement; the 
implementation of a broad continuing legal education program; the 
improvement of the advocacy program; the expansion of foreign study 
opportunities; the development of joint degree programs; the 
inauguration of the master of comparative law degree; and the 
internationalization of the law school by visiting faculty and foreign 
students.
  Since taking over as dean on July 1, 1985, Dean Williams has helped 
secure a bright future for the law school by overseeing the largest 
funds development effort in its history. The endowment has increased 
from less than $1 million to over $4.2 million, resulting in 2 endowed 
chairs, 25 endowed scholarships, 8 annually-funded scholarships, and 6 
special funds endowing lectures and other programs. The stature, 
beauty, and utility of the law school have been enriched by the 
construction of the Lucille Stewart Beeson Law Library.
  Dean Williams earned both his bachelor of arts and law degrees at the 
University of Mississippi, in 1953 and 1954, respectively. In 1965, he 
received his LL.M. degree from Yale University. Before coming to 
Cumberland, the alma mater of both his parents--class of 1925--he 
served as a district attorney in his native Mississippi and as an 
associate professor, professor, associate dean, and dean at the 
University of Mississippi School of Law. His academic specialties are 
evidence, criminal procedure, criminal law, and professional 
responsibility.
  The author of 9 law review articles and co-author of ``Mississippi 
Evidence,'' he has served as a commissioner of the law enforcement 
assistance commission and the national conference of commissioners of 
uniform State laws. He was chairman of the Governor's blue ribbon 
committee on corrections; the Governor's task force on tort reform; and 
the Mississippi Supreme Court advisory committee on rules.
  As Dean Parham H. Williams, Jr., retires, he will be remembered for 
bringing the Cumberland Law School into the life of Birmingham and in 
Alabama more than ever before. His polished, Southern, and unfailingly 
pleasant manner have guided his actions and helped create an image of 
civility and learning. I am proud to congratulate him for the 
impeccable job he has done and for the outstanding legacy he leaves 
behind.

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