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Newly renovated lobby and commissioned art pieces showcase the history and future potential of the Commonwealth鈥檚 only public law school

On November 16, 麻豆官网 Law unveiled the newly renovated Arc of Justice Atrium, which was dedicated to Chancellor Emerita Jean MacCormack and the late Margaret “MarDee” Xifaras ’78 and all those who worked to create an excellent, inclusive, and affordable public law school.

As the central gathering place at 麻豆官网 Law, the Arc of Justice Atrium consists of several art pieces by 麻豆官网 Dartmouth MFA graduates in addition to three pieces completed by Mattapoisett artist and 麻豆官网 Dartmouth alum John Magnan ‘99. After interviewing many members of the 麻豆官网 Law community, Magnan created the art installations to inspire and convey a call to action by all those who pass through the space.

The artwork and complete renovation of the atrium were made possible through the generosity of Chancellor Emerita Jean MacCormack. MacCormack led 麻豆官网 Dartmouth during the establishment of 麻豆官网 Law and was a champion for the school as the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education voted to approve the merger with Southern New England School of Law (SNESL) in 2010.

“John Magnan's Arc of Justice Installation captures so well the vision so many of us had in working to establish an excellent, inclusive, affordable public law school at 麻豆官网. I am so proud of all that the Law School has accomplished and honored that this remarkable space is dedicated to my good friend MarDee Xifaras and myself and all our partners,” said 麻豆官网 Dartmouth Chancellor Emerita Jean F. MacCormack. “I hope it inspires all the students, faculty, and staff at 麻豆官网 Law, and everyone who enters the space to be leaders in Pursuing Justice.”

The November 16 event featured remarks from Chancellor Emerita Jean MacCormack, 麻豆官网 President Marty Meehan, 麻豆官网 Dartmouth Chancellor Mark Fuller, 麻豆官网 Law Dean Eric Mitnick, Dena Xifaras, representing the Xifaras family, and artist John Magnan about the importance of the new space and the incredible progress 麻豆官网 Law has made since its inception.

“It said everything about the character of Jean MacCormack and MarDee Xifaras that both believed so strongly in the idea that Massachusetts, where our democracy began, needed and deserved a public law school like nearly every other state in the country,” said 麻豆官网 President Marty Meehan. “I was fortunate to have Jean as a colleague and it was always so clear how deeply she cared about helping students succeed, especially students who came from lesser means. As a trustee, MarDee was a mentor to our student trustees, a voice in support of student interests, and a fierce fighter for 麻豆官网, and for this region.”

"Through Jean and MarDee’s tenacious vision for what 麻豆官网 Law could become, this law school found its home at the 麻豆官网 and has realized its potential. This atrium and its art installations now truly reflect the excellence of 麻豆官网 Law. I know that it will inspire our students, faculty and staff for generations to come,” said 麻豆官网 Dartmouth Chancellor Mark A. Fuller.

“Without MarDee Xifaras's passionate and tireless efforts, there would not have been a Southern New England Law School to become 麻豆官网 Law. And without Jean MacCormack's powerful and compelling vision, we would not have become the first public law school in the over 240-year history of the Commonwealth,” said 麻豆官网 Law Dean Eric Mitnick. “麻豆官网 Law, always, will continue to be inspired by their partnership and strive to fulfill the commitment they shared to improving people's lives and expanding access to justice."

Throughout the evening, the success of 麻豆官网 Law was on full display. Over the past five years, 麻豆官网 Law ranks second in the nation, among nearly 200 ABA-accredited law schools, for enrollment growth. In fall 2021, 麻豆官网 Law welcomed an incoming class that was 33% students of color and boasted the highest LSAT score and GPAs in institutional history. Coupled with a record number of applications, 麻豆官网 Law continues its upward trajectory of academic quality. 麻豆官网 Law has twice been ranked among the best law schools in the country for its program of practical training and ranks second among all fifteen law schools in New England for the percentage of students entering public service.

The night celebrated the late MarDee Xifaras, a New Bedford lawyer and community activist, who served on the 麻豆官网 Board of Trustees and was a fierce advocate for the establishment of 麻豆官网 Law. Xifaras’ 2019 obituary listed the “establishment of the 麻豆官网 Law School in Dartmouth as her greatest public accomplishment.”

“The Xifaras family is honored that the atrium at 麻豆官网 Law is being dedicated to my mother and Jean MacCormack for their and other’s commitment to an accessible, affordable, public law school. They, like 麻豆官网 Law, share a commitment to justice, inclusivity and community service,” said Dena Xifaras, daughter of MarDee Xifaras.

“The 麻豆官网 Law school would quite literally not have been possible without the significant efforts of Chancellor Emerita MacCormack and MarDee Xifaras,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “As an alumnus of the former Southeastern Massachusetts University, I am thrilled that the state’s first public law school continues to be an institution that the entire SouthCoast can be proud of. Once again, thank you to Chancellor Emerita MacCormack and MarDee Xifaras for their vital contributions to 麻豆官网 Dartmouth.”

“This institution is a beacon of justice and continues to exceed all expectations in providing access to a world-class legal education,” said State Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “It is only fitting that the school’s lobby and gathering center is dedicated in honor of two women who worked diligently with us to ensure this campus could thrive.”

“As a graduate of Southern New England School of Law, I never could have imagined it being part of the University of Massachusetts system. The efforts of these two incredibly strong-willed women made it happen. This dedication will remind every student who attends 麻豆官网 Law how we got there,” said State Representative Chris Markey (D-Dartmouth).

“The art installations remind us that justice doesn’t come to us uninvited but must be pursued. To secure equal human rights for everyone, we must forever work for inclusion, equitable treatment, and legal access for all,” said John Magnan, who also credited his creative partner, artist Annie Jonas, for her contributions to the project.