Remarks of Peter J. Liacouras

at the Annual Meeting of the Philadelphia Bar Association

on the presentation by Chancellor Doreen S. Davis of the Bar Medal

June 15, 2000

Thank you, Chancellor Davis, and thank you colleagues of the Philadelphia Bar Association for this honor.

It is humbling to be in the company of the past recipients.

It's also an uncommon thrill to look around this audience and recognize the extraordinary talent and commitment.

          Our strength comes not only from pillars of the Bench and Bar like Jim Beasley, Dick Sprague, Cliff Green, Arlin Adams, Ed Becker, Dolores Sloviter, Charisse Lillie… but also from our exceptionally well – prepared, ethical, idealistic, younger colleagues who I believe will lead us to an even higher level of service to the community.

          So, I feel proud, lucky and challenged.

          However, I plead guilty to a provincial sense of pride we feel in the successes and contributions of former students.  The entire Temple community is delighted that you have elected three of our own – Doreen Davis, Carl Primavera, and Allan Gordon – as successive Chancellors.

          Doreen Davis' career also symbolizes the progressive development of all women in our profession and in the larger society – an idea which, two generations ago, seemed more like a dream.  I congratulate all of you.

          I've been lucky and proud to be part of a profession and a university committed to high performance, high moral values, and standards that elevate the human condition and democratic tradition as the highest honor and calling.

          I've also been lucky and blessed in choosing the right life partner, and being the beneficiary of outstanding and caring teachers and associates, family and friends.

          So, it's no surprise that I feel challenged and will continue working with you to bring out the best in our youth as together we pursue a world of peace where human dignity prevails for all.

          Thank you.

Philly Lawyers to honor Liacouras with Bar Medal

June 15, 2000

          Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Doreen S. Davis today announced that the Association will present its coveted Bar Medal to Temple University President Peter J. Liacouras at the Association’s June Quarterly Luncheon on Thursday, June 15, at noon, in the Grand Ballroom of the Park Hyatt Hotel in Philadelphia…

          “We honor President Liacouras as a colleague, a friend, a scholar, a leader and a visionary,” Davis said.  She noted that the Bar Medal is the highest honor that the Chancellor of the Bar Association can bestow and commented: “We’ve always been proud to count Peter Liacouras as one of our own.  He’s a great Philadelphia lawyer who exemplifies the finest qualities of our profession.”  Previous medal recipients have included former Mayor Edward J. Rendell, Governor Tom Ridge and the late Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr.

          Liacouras, who will step down as President of Temple University at the end of June after 18 years at the helm, leaves a legacy of having helped Temple achieve greater national and international prominence as one of America’s major research universities.  At age 68, he has served as President of the University longer than anyone since Temple’s legendary founder, Russell Conwell.  Liacouras became Temple’s seventh President in 1982 after serving as Dean of the Beasley School of Law for 10 years.

          “The name ‘Peter J. Liacouras’ is synonymous with Temple University, synonymous with big ideas and synonymous with extraordinarily high achievement,” Davis commented.  She said she took pride in reminding friends that she and Bar Association Chancellor – Elect Carl. S. Primavera and Vice Chancellor Allan H. Gordon are all graduates of Temple’s Beasley School of Law.  “June 15 is going to be a wonderful day for the Bar Association, for Temple and for President Liacouras,” she added.