Dr. Robert Khayat speaks at the dedication of the $50 million, 130,000 Robert C. Khayat Law Center at the University of Mississippi.

Hundreds of alumni, friends faculty and staff gathered at the University of Mississippi on April 15 to dedicate the new $50 million law school facility to a man who is credited with shepherding the university through a renaissance of growth.

“Words cannot express the deep appreciation my family and I have to those responsible for the naming of the Law Center,” said Robert C. Khayat, esteemed Chancellor Emeritus and Board Distinguished Professor of Law. “We do understand that my service as chancellor provided extraordinary opportunities for us to work with wonderful people who are committed to assuring that the university continues to attract the best faculty, students and staff who strengthen, enrich and enhance life in our state, nation and world. We hope that it is understood that our name is representative and inclusive of all who give so much of their talent, resources and substance to our university.”

The 130,000-square-foot Robert C. Khayat Law Center opened for classes in January and is a state-of-the-art facility with room for the law school’s many clinical programs and research centers. The LEED-certified building is the first for a Mississippi public institution.

UM Chancellor Dan Jones said the dedication was a way to express public appreciation for the “great efforts, immeasurable love and notable ability” Khayat contributed to not only the School of Law but also the entire university.

Khayat served as the 15th chancellor of the university, and under his leadership, the university experienced a renaissance. He drew praise for a multitude of achievements including two capital campaigns generating $775 million in private support. With that support, the university created the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, the Croft Institute for International Studies, the Lott Leadership Institute, Galtney Center for Academic Computing, Ford Center for the Performing Arts and Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, in addition to expanding its academic and athletics facilities.

Khayat also was committed to securing a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for the university and achieved that goal in 2001. During Khayat’s time as chancellor, the university’s enrollment increased by 43.6 percent, endowment increased by 313 percent and private support increased by 288 percent.

Jones was joined by U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, state Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, state Supreme Court Chief Justice William Waller, state Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees Member Aubrey Patterson, UM Law Alumni Chapter President Cham Trotter, UM Law Dean Richard Gershon and others in offering a mixture of memories, praise and jokes during the hour-long ceremony. The ceremony, which had been set to take place on the lawn of the new law facility, was moved to the Ford Center for the Performing Arts due to the threat of severe weather.

Author and Ole Miss law school graduate John Grisham also praised Khayat during the ceremony and commented on the friendship that has developed between them in the time since he was in Khayat’s law class.

He added that he hoped students who graduate from the Ole Miss law school understand that the “license to practice law is a powerful tool” that should be used to defend the poor and those without access to legal services.

Dean Richard Gershon thanked the legislators, donors and friends who made the building a reality.

“You all built this building with your support through donations of time and talents. You built it with your ideas and your shared vision. You built it by not quitting when obstacles blocked your path and weaker, less committed people would have abandoned the effort,” he said.

Gershon added that the challenge now falls on the faculty, staff and students.

“Our duty is to train the next generations of outstanding, ethical lawyers, who understand their obligation to give back to society,” he said. “I can assure you, the faculty, staff, and students of this law school are up to that challenge, and that we will fulfill our duty.”

For more information on the new law facility or coverage of the Law Center Dedication, go to http://zing.olemiss.edu/category/khayat-law/