Regent Law News

School of Law alumna Vivian Brown Henderson (’96) was the subject of this Monday, Dec. 20, feature published by The College of William & Mary.

Relying on their years of education and experience as trial attorneys, three Regent University School of Law alumni will be on the other side of the bench after the new year, included among the newest judges in courts in North Carolina and Florida. Matt Osman ('01), Kristina Earwood ('03) and Scott DuPont ('04) each won judicial elections in their districts in November. This brings the current number of School of Law alumni serving as judges at various levels of court to 20. Osman, a former Navy JAG lawyer, will be sworn in as a judge with the Mecklenburg County District Court in North Carolina. Earwood was elected to the bench in the 30th District Court in western North Carolina where she has primarily worked as a criminal defense attorney. DuPont was elected to the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida (Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties), an area he previously served as a partner with a firm dealing in 15 different areas of law. "Judges are among

Regent Law Professor Lynne Marie Kohm recently traveled with a group of scholars to the New Reformation Institute in Minsk, Belarus, to discuss how principles grounded in liberty interests can strengthen families - and nations. Belarus, once a Reformation center of Calvinism, is currently the home of Eastern Europe's last dictatorship. Despite restrictions on their religious freedoms, numerous organizations, churches and community groups gathered in a house church where Kohm delivered five lectures on family restoration: on the Biblical foundations of family law, state regulation and family law, jurisprudence on children in the law, and two lectures looking ahead to issues concerning Belarus and the UN and EU. Cognizant of the notion that strong liberty protection helps to build strong families, which in turn sets the foundation for a strong society, participants learned that true liberty for any person or state is ultimately found in the person of Jesus Christ.

Regent Law Professors James Duane and Brad Jacob were recipients of Regent University’s quarterly Faculty Award for Excellence. Duane won in the “scholarship” category, and Jacob in the “service” category. Congratulations to both of them!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially in Regent Law’s Moot Court Board (MCB) office. From November 1st-15th the Moot Court Board organized a collection of shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse whose mission is to provide “spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world… with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.” Regardless of the fact that many Hampton Roads churches hosted shoebox collections of their own, members of the Regent Law family felt impressed to be a part of the MCB’s initiative. So, last Tuesday the Board piled the 233 shoeboxes into multiple cars and delivered them to the local collection center where they were informed that theirs was the largest donation of the year! Each shoebox is designated to a boy or girl of a certain age and is filled with everything from stuffed animals to toothbrushes, and coloring books to clothes. Not only that, but once the shoeboxes are inspect

The overwhelming concern of those with families who consider attending law school is how their families will adjust to a new lifestyle. Regent Law seeks to provide students with families everything they need to succeed and thrive during their law school experience. One of the ways Regent Law families find support is by living in Regent Village, the University’s 22 acre, 30-building student housing complex located less than a mile from campus. The Village’s large, park-like setting offers ample public space to foster family and community relationships. Amenities include a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, a covered picnic area, and a playground. A soccer field in the center of the complex is home to the Regent Village Youth Soccer League, open to children of residents and Regent University staff and faculty. The community room offers space for Bible studies, baby showers and parties, and also houses the King’s Pantry, a service that provides donated groceries to residents f

On Thurs., November 18, Regent Law Chapel welcomed the university’s Director of Campus Ministries, Dr. Richard Kidd, who inspired students with a message of hope. Kidd peppered his message with personal legal anecdotes including the collapse of a former business into bankruptcy, the experiences of a friend and college roommate who became a successful attorney, and the trial experiences of a victimized family member who did not receive justice. These experiences reminded students that in their future practices they will deal with people in dire circumstances whose ultimate question will be, “Are you going to bring me any hope?” Kidd challenged students to realize that though a just and successful legal outcome for their clients is good, as Christian attorneys they have a mandate to give their clients more. He asked the question: “How can the law itself help those in despair?” As part of his answer, Kidd referenced 1 Cor. 15:19-20 (ESV), “If in Christ we have hope in this life on

It’s an organization that may well be Regent Law School’s greatest asset, especially for students who come to law school with families. It’s the Law Wives Association. “When our family started looking at schools during the application process, we saw that Regent had Law Wives, and I thought, ‘what is that?’” says Regent Law 3L wife, mother of three, and current organization president Lan Downing. “I thought to myself, ‘That would be really great to have that support and that network while we’re there.’” Law Wives exists to create and maintain an effective support network among the wives of Regent Law students in order to support and encourage their husbands through the challenges of law school. Little did Downing know that Law Wives would provide that support even before the Downing’s decided on Regent Law. “We came for a preview weekend, and the Law Wives president at the time, Katrina Walker … kept our kids so I could go to a lunch event with Tim,” says Downing. “It showed me h

David Velloney , associate professor in the School of Law, was recently interviewed by WVEC 13 (Hampton Roads’ ABC affiliate) regarding the case of the accused Somali pirates currently underway in Norfolk’s Federal Court. School of Law alumna Kristina Earwood ’03 was recently elected as a judge in the 30th District Court, located in Western North Carolina, according to this article in the Smoky Mountain News . Alumnus Matt Osman ’01 was also elected in Mecklenburg County, N.C.

This past year, Regent University School of Law’s Summer Program in Strasbourg, France was by all accounts a success. The American Bar Association (ABA) who accredits the program made an evaluation visit this summer and gave the classes a score of 4.8 on a 5 point scale for quality of teaching. The Strasbourg Program courses give students the opportunity to learn about international law and human rights issues from a Christian perspective. Program courses are taught by Regent Law faculty and included officials from European legal and human rights organizations. Among this year’s visiting speakers was Hans Christian Kruger, former Secretary of the European Commission of Human Rights and former Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. In addition to teaching quality, the ABA evaluated the Strasbourg Program on a range of criteria from educational content to quality of accommodations. According to their subsequent accreditation report, “The program was well organized and wel

By Molly Eccles “Is anybody here having doubts about this whole law school thing?” That is the question that Regent Law alumna and solo practitioner Kerriel Bailey ('08) posed as she opened today’s Law Chapel service. The question was immediately followed by a collective chuckle from her audience of students and faculty. “I think,” she responded, “[we begin to doubt] when we are more focused on ourselves than on God.” She then encouraged listeners to remember that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Rom. 11:29). Bailey, however, did not come to a true realization of this verse easily. She went on to share that when God called her to law school she “could not fathom learning the law at a place that did not even acknowledge a law Giver.” So she, her husband - who left his job of nineteen years – and youngest son packed their bags, said goodbye to the remainder of their family, and moved 3,000 miles from California to Virginia Beach. Like so many students

Festive Messianic music, a slide show of colorful trip photos, and a delicious deli lunch welcomed students to Regent Law’s 2011 Summer Program in Israel information session Tuesday. Hosted by Program Director, Professor Robert ‘Skip’ Ash , the session gave students a basic overview of the program goals and objectives; trip dates, tentative itinerary and costs, and the criteria for participation. Professor Ash introduced Professor Joseph Kickasola, with whom he shares teaching responsibility during the three-week trip. Participants will earn three credit-hours toward their degree in either the Law School or the School of Government. Two courses will be taught during the mornings, one comparing the Biblical and Qu’ranic ideas of war and another addressing aspects of international law in modern-day Israel. Several participants from previous trips commented on the “experience of a lifetime” afforded by the Summer Program in Israel. Regent Law 3L Jesse Weiss said, “It’s a great expe

On Friday, Oct. 29, the Regent chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) pre-law honor society held its 2010 induction ceremony. Regent Law’s Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Professor, Natt Gantt , served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. He prefaced his speech by relaying the idea that we, according to a recent NPR broadcast, live in an “age of mistrust” when people do not trust their governments and institutions. “How can you be an instrument of change,” he challenged the inductees, “in the attitudes toward governments and institutions?” He went on to share that he did not decide to become a lawyer until his senior year of undergraduate studies. A psychology major, Dean Gantt was unsure as to what path to take for his graduate education. “Go where you feel like you can do the most good” were his father’s words of advice. Then, after praying about where that would be, God showed him that “You can do a lot of good in society with a law degree.” In a nation tha

This week Regent Law Chapel welcomed Dr. Corné Bekker, associate professor for the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship and Editor of the Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership (JBPL). Addressing the topic of a Christian philosophy of leadership, Bekker contrasted the examples of 13th Century leader Agnus of Prague against the story of Herod in Acts 12, demonstrating the difference between the Christian idea of leadership and the world’s philosophy. That difference is embodied in who receives the glory, Bekker said. “Leadership schools tend to draw the wrong kind of students – those who are trying to be great,” he said. He referred to the danger of the sin of human pride and the desire for personal recognition which steals glory that belongs to God alone. Quoting a friend he said, “We grow small trying to be great.” In contrast, for the leader who is Christian, there must be a personal transformation that takes place by way of the Cross, a teaching Bekker sa

Photo by Patrick McKay '12 A contingency of five Regent Law faculty and 20 students participated in the Christian Legal Society’s (CLS) 2010 National Conference held October 21-24 in Orlando, Florida. Included among Regent Law’s representatives were the Dean of Academic & Student Affairs, Natt Gantt and Director of Career & Alumni Services, Darius Davenport. Keynote speakers included the Honorable Michael McConnell, Stanford Law School professor, constitutional law scholar and former federal judge on the US Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit; Dr. Don Davis, Founder and Director of World Impact’s Urban Ministry Institute; and Dr. David Butler, Lead Pastor of CenterPoint Church in Concord, NH. Break-out sessions were led by notable Christians such as theologian Dr. Wayne Grudem, Alliance Defense Fund senior vice-president Jeffrey Ventrella, and Stanley Carlson-Theis, president of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance. Regent Law Professor C. Scott Pryor co-presen

Law professor James Duane was quoted in this Friday, Oct. 29, Virginian-Pilot article discussing a recent trial that found a Norfolk, Va., police officer guilty of lying to federal agents and extortion. Law professor Mike Schutt was named in this Monday, Oct. 25, article appearing in The Times Record out of Brunswick, Maine. Schutt was a guest lecturer at the World View Academy camp over the summer. Law school admissions counselor Sarah Schulte was quoted in this Thursday, Oct. 28, article published by Charleston Southern College about their recent employment and graduate school fair.

77 million. That’s a big number. That’s the number of Shoeboxes that Operation Christmas Child (OCC) has distributed to children around the world since 1993. Some people may see that number and think that their one additional shoebox will not make a difference. This week’s Chapel speaker, Neal Johnson, could not disagree more. Johnson, the Hampton Roads area coordinator for OCC, has been packing boxes with his family for over 16 years. Each box is designated to a boy or girl of a certain age and filled with everything from stuffed animals to toothbrushes, and coloring books to clothes. While he gained much joy from the experience, the boxes would always go to some nameless, faceless child on the other side of the world. Then, two years ago, he took a trip to Lima, Peru, to help distribute the boxes in person. This changed everything. After praying that God would show him which child was to receive his box he met a young boy named Harold. “That’s Harold,” said Johnson, pointing to a p

First-time Virginia Bar exam takers from Regent University's School of Law achieved the highest Bar pass rate in the school's history for the July 2010 exam, according to results released on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The pass rate of 85.7 percent is well above the state average and third among all Virginia law schools. "I am deeply proud of our students,” said Jeffrey Brauch , Dean of Regent University School of Law. “Whether winning national championships or passing the bar at historic rates, they display excellence in everything they do. I am also thankful for our outstanding faculty. This achievement reflects their tireless commitment to train our students with depth and rigor. Above all, praise God for His blessing!" Results from the July exam were released by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners on its website and include the following pass percentages for first-time testers from each school: Appalachian School of Law: 65.4% College of William and Mary: 92.6

Hard working, dedicated, and competitive are all characteristics that describe a Regent Law student’s performance in the classroom. It should come as no surprise, then, that such attributes draw dozens of our students to participate in Regent’s Chili Bowl Intramural Flag Football League. The league is open to all members of the Regent family and is thus comprised of players ranging from staff members to alumni, and freshmen undergrads to 3Ls. Traditionally, each law class assembles a team. Having gone undefeated for the last two years, the 3L team, called “The Gong Show,” is expected to bring home the 2010 Championship trophy, accompanied by a year’s worth of bragging rights. At five games into their schedule their record remains untainted. Other law teams include the “2L TDs” (5-1), “Real Coed” (2-3), and 1L squads “The Bombers” (4-2) and “The Most Interesting ‘Men’” (1-4). Law students who choose to participate in the league give many reasons for doing so. These include the op

"As wonderful as it is to be here tonight, my goal in the next 18 months is to wake America up!" With these words, Linda Smith, former U.S. Congresswoman and president of Shared Hope International, ended her keynote address Friday night at the 2010 Regent Law Review Symposium on domestic human trafficking. The symposium was held October 10-11 on the campus of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. Smith's closing remarks introduced Shared Hope's new year-long ad campaign and underscored the symposium's urgent theme: human trafficking is a widespread and growing evil calling for a concerted response from the legal community—and from each of us. After Smith's address, School of Law Dean Jeffrey Brauch introduced Regent's response to the plight of the enslaved, oppressed, trafficked and marginalized worldwide: Regent Law's new Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law. "God loves justice," Brauch said, reminding his

Law professor Brad Jacob was a guest Wednesday Oct. 6, on the KNX Morning Show in Los Angeles to discuss Snyder v. Phelps, the military funeral protest case heard by the Supreme Court this week. Speaking on the same topic, Jacob was also a guest Wednesday on Mickelson in the Morning , airing on WHO-AM in Iowa, and the Pilgrim Radio Network , which airs on stations in Nevada, Wyoming, Montana and California. On Thursday, Oct. 7, Jacob also discussed the case on the Bill Meyer Radio Show on WMED-AM in Medford, Ore. Click below to listen to the Mickelson broadcast: Mickelson in the Morning on WHO (October 6, 2010)

School of Law alumna Karen Crowley (’92) was profiled in this Virginian-Pilot  article about her work as an insolvency attorney.

Lynne Marie Kohm was quoted in this CBN news story on Thursday, discussing a Florida court’s ruling that a law banning homosexual couples from adopting children is unconstitutional. Law alumnus J. Neal Insley ('03) has been recognized by Super Lawyers magazine as a “Rising Star” for the second consecutive year. Insley received the 2009 and 2010 Rising Star distinction in the administrative law category. The Super Lawyers selection process evaluates each candidate using 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell appointed Insley the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) chairman in May 2010. Prior to his appointment, Insley was special counsel, government relations and administrative law, with LeClairRyan in Virginia Beach. Insley also served as an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Newport News and Virginia Beach, and ran his own practice specializing in ABC law. He is a graduate of Virginia

Law Professor Thomas Folsom did an interview with Voice of America to discuss trademark law in the United States, as it may relate to a case in which IHOP-the International House of Pancakes restaurant chain-has sued IHOP-the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. The interview will be translated and broadcast to Chinese audiences. A case won by Regent Law Attorney-in-Residence Randy Singer was discussed in this Virginian-Pilot article on Saturday. Dean Jeffrey Brauch's comments about the School of Law were included in this article from Virginia Lawyers Weekly about accreditation of Liberty University's Law School.

Law Professor Lynne Marie Kohm was a guest on The Andy Caldwell Show on KSMA radio in Santa Monica, Calif., on Friday evening, August 27, to talk about the recent stem cell ruling.

During this past week’s orientation activities, Regent University School of Law welcomed the newest additions to its student body: the Class of 2013. Comprised of nearly 170 fresh faces ranging in age from 19 - 49, this year’s 1Ls are among the most unique and diverse groups ever to converge on campus. More than two thirds have crossed state lines to be here, and several have crossed oceans and international borders. They hail from widely varying undergraduate institutions ranging from Christian schools like Pensacola Christian College and Patrick Henry, to the University of Oklahoma, the University of Wyoming, James Madison University, Tufts, the University of Virginia and the U.S. Naval Academy, to name a few. The students themselves are as diverse as their educational backgrounds. One is a recent West Coast transplant from Hong Kong by way of New Zealand. Another is a brand new father from California with his wife and three-month-old namesake in tow, and yet another is a quiet

On August 20, Regent University School of Law students, faculty and alumni joined forces to serve the Hampton Roads area for its second annual Community Service Day. Volunteers completed approximately 636 hours of community service across 10 regional sites: Union Mission, Habitat for Humanity (Norfolk and Virginia Beach), Norfolk Law Library, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Beach Department of Recreation, Society of St. Andrew, The American Heart Association, St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children, and Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Before sending the students out to serve, Darius Davenport, director of Career and Alumni Services and Community Service Day coordinator, reminded them that the profession of law is a profession of service, that their call to salvation included a call to service, and that anytime they use their God-given abilities to help others, they are fulfilling their calling. Community Service Day volunteers picked corn to feed families in need across Hampto

Law alumnus Michael K. Elliott  ('03) was quoted in the Salt Lake City Tribune regarding a posthumously conceived child. During his time at Regent Law, Michael wrote (and later published) “Tales of Parenthood from the Crypt,” on the same topic.

Law Professor Brad Jacob did several radio interviews last week regarding a proposal by several senators to consider changing the Constitution's 14th Amendment so that children born to illegal immigrants in the U.S. would not automatically be granted citizenship. He commented on The Andy Caldwell Show on KSMA in Santa Monica, Calif.; Mickelson in the Morning on WHO in Des Moines; and KTRH in Houston. Law Professor Lynne Marie Kohm was a guest on CBN News Thursday to discuss a judge’s ruling that overturned Proposition 8 in California. She also did several radio interviews on this topic, including The Schnitt Show, based in Tampa, Fla.; The Denny Radio Show on WGKA in Atlanta and The Pete Kaliner Show on WBT in Charlotte, N.C. Click below to listen to the broadcast: Mickelson in the Morning on WHO (August 5)

Law Professor Bradley Jacob was a guest on The Mike Rosen Show on KOA radio in Denver, Colo., on Thursday to discuss a judge's ruling in the Justice Department lawsuit against the new Arizona immigration law. Click below to listen to the broadcast: The Mike Rosen Show on KOA Radio (July 29)

Law alumnus Paul A. Roetman ’02 has been appointed by Alaska Governor Sean Parnell to serve as a judge on the Kotzebue Superior Court, according to the Alaska Business Monthly . Law professor Lynne Marie Kohm made two appearances on CBN News , Thursday and Friday, to discuss a no-fault divorce bill in New York that will make the state the last in the nation to adopt this type of legislation. Government and Law professor Dr. Joseph Kickasola's work on articulating a culture clash occurring within Islam was cited in this WORLD Magazine column about the controversy surrounding the building of a mosque in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Click below to view Professor Kolm's Friday appearance:

The Justice Department's lawsuit against Arizona's new illegal immigration law provided several opportunities for Law professor Brad Jacob to provide analysis and commentary. On Wednesday, July 7, Jacob appeared on CBN NewsWatch , and he was also a guest on five radio programs: The Curtis Sliwa Show on New York City's WNYM (Sliwa is founder of the Guardian Angels); The Brad Davis Show on WDRC in Hartford, Conn.; The Martha Zoeller Show (syndicated) based in Gainesville, Ga.; The Phil Valentine Show , nationally syndicated on more than 70 stations on Westwood One: and The Mike Rosen Show on KOA in Denver, Colo. Click below to listen or watch the various broadcasts: The Mike Rosen Show on KOA Radio (July 7th)

Law Professor Brad Jacob appeared on CBN NewsWatch on Thursday, June 24, to comment on a Supreme Court decision that prevents people who sign petitions from keeping their names private.

Regent Law Professor Robert “Skip” Ash recently appeared on the ACLJ’s daily radio broadcast to discuss military leadership in light of recent critical comments made by Gen. McChrystal concerning the President’s policy in Afghanistan.

Law Professor Brad Jacob did two radio interviews last week to discuss efforts by Republican legislators in Arizona to introduce legislation that would deny birth certificates to children of illegal immigrants born in the United States. He was a guest on The Mike Rosen Show on KOA Radio, the number one news/talk station in Denver, and The Bill Meyer Show on KMED, the top station in the Medford, Ore., market. Click below to listen to the broadcasts: The Mike Rosen Show on KOA Radio (June 16th) The Bill Meyer Show on KMED (June 16th)

I am very encouraged by the law school’s progress in reaching globally to serve the poor and oppressed. This summer, four of our students are serving in funded (thanks to generous donors) international internships and working on critical human rights issues. They are: Joanna Cannone – working in Cambodia with Transitions Global, an organization working with victims of human trafficking Kara Cooper – working in India with the Freedom Firm and law alum Evan Henck ‘08, an organization combating human trafficking Ernie Walton – working on religious freedom issues in France with the European Centre for Law and Justice Ashleigh Chapman – working in DC on international adoption issues with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Please pray for these students for God’s protection and blessing on their efforts. I am hopeful that these are the first of many students who will play a meaningful role in promoting international justice through the Center for Global Justice, Hum

Robert "Bob" Byrne Jr. Regent Law alumnus '02 Robert "Bob" Byrne Jr. said he was stunned to learn that he was named the 2010 R. Edwin Burnette Jr. Young Lawyer of the Year by the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference (YLC). He is the second Regent Law alumni since 2008 to be honored with this award. The award recognizes young lawyers who demonstrate dedicated service to the conference, the legal profession and the community. Byrne, who has a statewide general litigation practice with MartinWren PC in Charlottesville, Va., has been an active volunteer with YLC since 2005. He said that YLC has about 9,000 active and associate Virginia State Bar members who are age 36 and under. To qualify for the award, members must meet a list of eligibility requirements. YLC's goal is to serve the public and meet the special interests and concerns of young and new lawyers. Conference activities include various community outreach projects. "One of my most

The Regent Law community congratulates Regent Law alumni who took the July 2009 Florida Bar Exam. The Florida Board of Bar Examiners reports that 87.5% of Regent’s first-time test takers passed, the exam, a rate second to only one of Florida’s ten law schools, Florida State. The overall pass rate for all first-time takers for the July 2009 Florida Bar Exam was 80.0%. “We have spent the last three years working and praying with these men and women,” said law school Dean Jeffrey Brauch. “This outstanding pass rate is a tribute to our students’ hard work, to a rigorous curriculum—especially in the areas of writing and legal analysis, and to great set of faculty colleagues who train with excellence. We praise God for our graduates’ success.” Regent’s February 2010 Virginia Bar Exam takers also excelled, with 85.7% of Regent’s first-time takers (and 80% of all Regent takers) passing the exam, a pass rate 19% above the state-wide average and just behind the #1 school, Washington &

Saundra McDowell Regent Law alumna '10 Saundra McDowell won second place in the Nightlight Christian Adoptions' 2010 Embryo Donation and Adoption Essay Competition. She was one of three law students from among representatives of 35 law schools throughout the United States to place in the contest. "The contest offers a great way to stir the debate and hopefully grow an interest among future lawyers to make this area of Assisted Reproduction Technology Law part of their practice," said Executive Director of Nightlight Ronald Stoddart in a College & University Pressroom article on the competition. Participants in the contest were tasked with addressing a challenging question related to three families living in the states of Louisiana and Georgia, which both have laws specific to human embryos. McDowell's essay explained the law in relation to the major issues surrounding embryo donation and adoption. This is the second year McDowell participated in the

Law Professor Brad Jacob was interviewed by The Virginian-Pilot regarding the congregation of a Norfolk church that sued the pastor over a number of church governance issues.

Law Professor David Wagner was quoted in the Orange County (CA) Register about two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that expanded federal government powers. The editorial also ran in the New Bern (N.C.) Sun Journal .

Earlier this month the Class of 2010 gathered at the Chesapeake Conference Center to share a few last moments remembering their three years together. Regent Law’s special Commissioning ceremony is an intimate time set aside to applaud individual success, to pray together, and to perform the ceremonial “hooding.” Academic regalia such as the doctoral hood date back to the 12th century. Hoods and gowns were modeled after medieval ecclesiastical dress, likely because it was common for scholars to make vows to God as they began their professions. A powerful image of the transition between learning and fulfilling a call, the hooding ceremony continues at Regent today. A faculty member places the colorful doctoral hood over the head of each graduate, confirming the completion of the academic portion of their training. Paralleling the medieval tradition, the graduates are then charged with being lawyers of integrity, committed to justice and eternal truth. After the hooding ceremo

Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson presents award to Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell  (Photo: Patrick Wright) Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell '89 (Law and Government) has been named Alumnus of the Year by Regent University. Announcement of the award was made during this past weekend's commencement ceremony. The governor received the award during a campus visit April 13 when he spoke at Regent's Executive Leadership Series. "After being out of Regent for 21 years and using my training to serve others, I'm flattered to be honored with this award," McDonnell said. "Bob's dedication to serving the citizens of Virginia has been evident for years, and his election as governor is an outstanding example of Regent's motto of Christian Leadership to Change the World," said Regent Founder, Chancellor and President Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson, who presented the award to McDonnell. "We're proud of all that Bob has accomplished and