History
History of UF Law: 1960s
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1960
The University of Florida Law Center Association was formed with its purpose to promote, support and improve legal education, particularly at the University of Florida. The Association was incorporated in 1962.
1962
W. George Allen enrolled in law school in September 1960, and became the first African American law student to graduate from UF Law.
September. A fire erupted in the Law Library after closing when a student on duty emptied ash trays from the reading room and dumped the contents in a wastebasket behind the Circulation desk. Replacement costs were about $150,000.
1963
UF undergraduate freshmen enrollment increased dramatically and unexpectedly (children born after World War II veterans returned from service), alerting the law school administration that a similar increase could be expected in four years. Estimated law school enrollment was projected to be 1,114+ as compared with 537 current students.
1964
The Dean appointed a long range planning committee which set it goals to respond to the theme: “Where the Law College Wants to Be in 1975.”
Wilbert Langston purchased “the little store across the street,” which became very popular with the law faculty and students in later years.
March 1964
The first issue of The University of Florida Law Center News was published.
January 27, 1964
The Clifford W. Crandall Memorial Scholarship fund was created for allocation to two advanced students each year.
1965
The Florida Legislature appropriated $3,400,000 for the Law Center complex.
Federal funding was requested for building a dormitory and cafeteria. The funds were available but construction costs skyrocketed and it was no longer feasible to build the entire complex.
The Board of Regents approved the request of the College of Law that the Juris Doctor degree be reinstated to replace the Bachelor of Laws degrees as the first professional degree in law.
October 28, 1966
Ground breaking ceremony for the new Law Center was held on the site at the extreme Northwest corner of the UF campus. 500 people attended, including many distinguished guests.
Architects received the Architectural Design Honor Award for 1966 from the American Institute of Architects for “the best major building design in Florida for 1966.”
Homecoming 1966
Circuit Judge James C. Adkins, Jr. received the James W. Day Award, presented annually to a non-faculty member who has contributed to the field of legal education and assisted the law student body.
1966
Professor Leonard S. Powers was appointed to the newly created position as Associate Dean of the College of Law.
1968
The Center of Competence in Water Law in the Eastern United States and also The Florida Law Revision Commission, created in 1967 by the Legislature, are established at the law school.
December 1968
Program plans were developed, fund-raising had been successful, and construction of Holland Hall on the west side of UF campus was completed.
1969
Anita Morse was hired as the first permanent, full-time female faculty member.
Visiting Professor Spencer Boyer was the first African American hired to teach at the law school. After a short period of time teaching, he and his family left Gainesville because of the telephone calls and threatening actions they received.