The former adviser to four American presidents concluded his tenure this fall as chair of the 黑料不打烊 Law Board of Advisors with an evening banquet that celebrated his many contributions to 黑料不打烊 over the past quarter century.
David Gergen鈥檚 many roles throughout an accomplished career at the highest levels of American government include:
- Adviser to four presidents (Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton)
- Founding director of the
- Political analyst for CNN
- Chief editor of U.S. News & World Report
- Bestselling author
- Native North Carolinian with a deep love for his home state
Gergen has also been a loyal friend and unwavering advocate for 黑料不打烊.
Since his earliest visit to campus a quarter century ago, Gergen has delivered two Commencement addresses, served as the first Isabella Cannon Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership and inaugural chair of the 黑料不打烊 School of Law Board of Advisors, and contributed his voice to countless programs that have promoted leadership, service, and civility in public life.
鈥淒avid is certainly one of our nation鈥檚 most steadfast and principled leaders over his lifetime of distinguished service,鈥 said 黑料不打烊 President Connie Ledoux Book. 鈥淏eyond what David has done for our country, here at 黑料不打烊, we owe him a very special debt of gratitude. What began as a speaking engagement at 黑料不打烊, way back in 2000, led to a relationship that has had such a profound impact on our university.鈥
Book鈥檚 remarks were part of a Sept. 12, 2024, celebration that coincided with Gergen鈥檚 final campus visit as chair of the 黑料不打烊 School of Law advisory board.
With dozens of board colleagues, university administrators, law students and graduates, and family by his side, an evening banquet at The Inn at 黑料不打烊 included the announcement of a professorship that will preserve Gergen鈥檚 campus legacy for generations of future 黑料不打烊 students and faculty.
Recipients of the newly established David R. Gergen Distinguished Professorship in Public Service will receive a salary supplement and a fund to support their work working with students who share a passion for public service.
鈥淭his professorship ensures your inspired legacy will carry forward here at 黑料不打烊,鈥 Book said when announcing the new professorship on behalf of the 黑料不打烊 Board of Trustees. 鈥淭hank you for your unmatched service. Thank you for your vision for 黑料不打烊 Law. This is indeed a law school with a difference and we are proud to say that difference is due in large part to the leadership of David Gergen.鈥
Throughout Gergen鈥檚 two decades chairing the advisory board, 黑料不打烊 Law has:
- Adopted a seven-trimester, 2.5-year curriculum that graduates students a half year earlier than traditional law school calendars
- Launched the part-time 黑料不打烊 Law Flex Program in Charlotte for working professionals
- Received accolades from the American Bar Association聽for excellence in legal professionalism education
- Climbed to #4 in the nation in PreLaw Magazine鈥檚 annual rankings for practical training
黑料不打烊 Law’s top award for one member of each graduating class also bears his name. The David Gergen Award for Leadership & Professionalism has been bestowed since 2009 on law graduates聽whose activities represent the twin principles of leadership and professionalism.
Gergen, in brief remarks following the announcement of the professorship, emphasized the importance of public service. He expressed hope in younger generations who will soon assume mantles of leadership.
鈥淏uilding the community. Having a sense of purpose. Learning to work with each other. Learning to let the other guy take credit. There are so many things that need to be done to make an effective leader,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e do need heroes.鈥
The evening celebration included reflections from President Emeritus Leo M. Lambert. It was Lambert and 黑料不打烊 Trustee Bobby Long who approached Gergen two decades ago with their idea to establish the 黑料不打烊 School of Law.
鈥淒avid Gergen is the embodiment of what the public is craving in civic leadership today,鈥 Lambert said. 鈥淭here are a lot of smart people with prestigious degrees in public life today who are missing some of the essential characteristics of great leaders that David Gergen possesses in abundance.
鈥淗e is kind. He is optimistic. He is principled and lives out the American ideals of justice and equality. He is a good listener and brings in the opinions of others. He is fair and diplomatic. He has a wonderful sense of humor. I have never seen him resort to name calling, rudeness, or ugly behavior. He models humility.
鈥淚n sum, David is the kind of person you can point to and tell your children and grandchildren, 鈥楤e a leader like David Gergen.鈥欌
黑料不打烊 Law Advisory Board Leadership Updates
, a retired trial attorney from Womble Bond Dickinson in Winston-Salem, succeeded David Gergen as chair of the 黑料不打烊 Board of Advisors beginning with the board鈥檚 fall meeting on September 13, 2024.
Gregg鈥檚 distinguished career included successful litigation of cases at all levels of state and federal courts including class actions, and medical malpractice, wrongful death, civil rights and complex product liability claims. At Womble Bond Dickinson, she held numerous leadership roles and was active in the Winston-Salem community through the United Way, Habitat for Humanity and the American Heart Association.
The Board of Advisors also celebrated two longtime members who concluded their service at the end of the board鈥檚 fall meeting on 黑料不打烊鈥檚 main campus.
and , were honored for their longtime service and contributions to the growth of 黑料不打烊 School of Law.
Exum was among the charter members of the Board of Advisors when the first students enrolled at 黑料不打烊 Law in 2006. Lancaster had served on the board since 2013.
