Law’80 classmates with Dean Bill Flanagan (back row, far right) at their Homecoming dinner held in the Donald Gordon Centre, where their $250,000 cheque was presented.
Law’80 classmates with Dean Bill Flanagan (back row, far right) at their Homecoming dinner held in the Donald Gordon Centre, where their $250,000 cheque was presented.

The business law program at Queen’s keeps growing stronger. Raising $250,000 for the Law’80 Scholar in Business Law fund, the Queen’s Law class of 1980 has not only created the largest class gift ever for a single initiative, but also achieved the highest class fundraising participation rate. They met their ambitious target when back on campus for their 35th anniversary at Homecoming 2015.

Fundraising chair Greg Piasetzki, Law’80, made the presentation to Dean Bill Flanagan during the reunion dinner on Oct. 24. “The gift was a way to show our appreciation, in a tangible way, for the many and varied opportunities that our Queen’s Law education offered to each of us,” says Piasetzki. “We hope our gift, by enriching the academic program at Queen’s, will provide current students with the same opportunities that we have had.”

The Faculty intends to use the Law’80 Scholar in Business Law fund to attract a leading scholar in the area. The income from the fund will be used to support the Law’80 Scholar’s research activities, including inviting visiting business law scholars from around the world to come and spend some time at Queen’s. “I am delighted that Law’80 has decided to direct its support towards strengthening the business law program at Queen’s Law, a major area of strategic priority for the Faculty,” says Dean Flanagan.

Three years ago, Law’80 became the first class to surpass its goal, which at the time was $150,000. In 2013, a new two-year goal of an additional $100,000 was set. To kick-start the new campaign, Piasetzki, together with fundraising committee members George and Lynne Frank, Colin Jackson, Justice Mike Emery and Steve Trumper, and classmate Dawn Jetten, collectively pledged $50,000 to match gifts received.

Being tops in class giving for a specific initiative and in participation is due to the strong sense of fellowship and camaraderie among Law’80, and the enthusiasm and hard work of the fundraising committee, claims Piasetzki.

“I know we have all appreciated the opportunity provided by our class gift campaign and our recent reunions to reconnect, rekindle old friendships and enjoy again some of the camaraderie that existed during our law school days.”