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Congratulations to David Cleveland

By Tessa L. Dysart

Last week I got an email from Prof. Kristen K. Tiscione, the president of the Legal Writing Institute, announcing that Dean David Cleveland, founding editor of this blog, has been awarded the LWI  2020 Courage Award.  Since I can’t say it any better, here is what Prof. Tiscione wrote:

The Board of Directors of the Legal Writing Institute is delighted to announce that David R. Cleveland is the recipient of the 2020 Courage Award.  David is the Dean and a Professor of Law at Valparaiso University Law School in Valparaiso, Indiana. 

 

The Courage Award was created by Dr. Terri LeClercq to honor courageous legal writing professors.  With this award, LWI seeks to honor members who have demonstrated courage by doing, despite fear, something that most people would not do. 

 

By any measure, Dean Cleveland has exhibited the courage this award is meant to honor.  He has shown great courage as the dean at Valparaiso Law School as it faced severe and ultimately insurmountable financial difficulties.  As dean, he consistently advocated for legal writing at Valparaiso and always put students’ interests first.  We agree wholeheartedly with the nominators that his valiant and selfless work on behalf of Valparaiso and its students represents “courage in action.” 

 

Not only has he served as a role model for his courage in action, but Dean Cleveland has also published impassioned scholarship on court reform and appellate justice.  This work qualifies as “civil courage” as described in the Call for Nominations.  He is thus an authoritative, respected, and dedicated voice for our community.  We could not be more proud.

 

Please join us in celebrating David’s achievements as we present this award at the biennial conference at Georgetown Law during the opening reception, scheduled for Wednesday evening, July 15, 2020.  Further details to be announced.

 

The LWI Board is grateful for the work of the LWI Awards Committee in identifying nominees and making recommendations to the Board. The Committee includes Co-chairs Greg Johnson and Brenda Gibson, and members Andrew Carter, Lindsey Gustafson, Margaret Hannon, Dana Hill, Mary Nagel, and Suzanne Rowe.  

 

Congratulations David!  I can’t think of a better recipient of this award. You have remained upbeat and positive in difficult circumstances and been a encourager and encouragement to me.