One of UNM's most accomplished professors will be honored today for his contributions to the School of Law by having a new wing of the school named after him in a ceremony.
Former School of Law Dean Frederick Hart, best known for his efforts in starting the summer pre-law program for American Indian law students and the American Indian Law Center, Inc., said he is humbled by the honor.
"I'm obviously pleased and happy, but I have to admit I am a little embarrassed," Hart said. "I wish it was being named after someone else so that I could cheer them on."
Hart said that the programs he helped start have had a substantial impact on the nation's legal community.
"When we first started the program, there were only 20 Native American lawyers nationwide," said Hart, who is currently a professor emeritus at the School of Law. "Today, there are more than 2,000."
He added that the programs, which provide minority students from New Mexico greater access to the School of Law, help diversify UNM.
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The 32,000 square foot wing includes eight classrooms, one which can be converted to a courtroom, a dedicated courtroom and four seminar rooms.
"The present day law school is essentially the result of his vision," said Robert Desiderio, dean of UNM's School of Law. "He played a pivotal role in opening up the law school and making it accessible to all New Mexicans."
The new wing is wired for advanced multimedia technology, including computer, Internet and videoconferencing capabilities, and is complete with remote-controlled cameras, microphones and digital presenters.
The American Indian Law Center, Inc., which Hart was instrumental in establishing, has become the oldest existing Indian-controlled legal and public policy organization in the country. The center provides legal education to individuals and technical assistance to tribal councils, governments and courts.
"Professor Hart has had a greater impact on legal education nationally over the last 30 years than all but a very few people," said Sam Deloria, director of the center. "He started a fundamental change by priming the pump for Indian law students in this country."
Hart also helped establish the pre-law program for American Indian students, allowing them to take summer courses in order to gain a better understanding of the areas of law they prefer.
The clinical program, which allows law students to represent clients and gain professional experience, can also be attributed to Hart.
Peter Winograd, associate dean for UNM's School of Law, said that Hart has set the law school on a track that it remains on today.
Winograd said that Hart is the moving spirit behind the American Indian law program and set the tone for the expansion of the faculty.
"These things remain the keystones of this institution, and we are nationally known for them," Winograd said.
Hart received his juris doctorate degree in 1955 from Georgetown University and went on to earn his master's of law degree in 1956 from New York University.
Hart has been with the UNM Law School since 1968, and during his 34 years at the school has taught Commercial Law, Contracts, Property, Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing and Consumer Law classes.
Dedication of the Hart Wing will be from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the building's forum at 1117 Stanford Drive.
The majority of the $10.7 million addition was funded through private donations.
