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Moritz College of Law Auditorium Named For Former U.S. Attorney William B. Saxbe

"Saxbe Auditorium" named after 1948 graduate

September 26, 2002

 

The auditorium at Ohio State’s John Deaver Drinko Hall has been named the William B. Saxbe Law Auditorium in recognition of Mr. Saxbe’s generosity and his distinguished public service. A celebration of the naming was held on Thursday, September 26 during Public Service Day at the Moritz, when all Ohio State law alumni who work in public service or devote a significant portion of their practice to pro bono work were recognized.

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The Mechanicsburg, Ohio resident is a 1948 graduate of the school and has given $500,000 to be used to upgrade four classrooms in Drinko Hall with the latest in educational technology. In addition, the William B. Saxbe Designated Professorship will be established to provide financial support for a junior to mid-level faculty member.

Saxbe’s career in public service dates back to his law school days, when he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1946 at the age of 29. After serving four terms in the Ohio House, he was elected to three terms as Ohio Attorney General. He served as a United States Senator before being appointed U.S. Attorney General — considered one of the highest public service posts in the profession. He was appointed Ambassador to India in 1975 and served until 1977.

"William Saxbe’s career exemplifies the integrity and dedication to serving the nation that we seek to instill in our students," said Nancy H. Rogers, dean of the Moritz College of Law. "We hope that the name on the auditorium will remind current and future students of these values."

Public Service Day at the Moritz included a one-hour continuing legal education (CLE) program, "Public Service: Instilling Commitment in Newer Lawyers." The CLE included a discussion between Saxbe and Senator Barry J. Levey ’54, who served four terms as an Ohio Representative prior to serving as an Ohio Senator from 1986-1995. Saxbe’s son, Charles "Rocky" Saxbe ’75, a partner with the law firm of Chester, Willcox, and Saxbe, moderated the discussion. The session ended with a brief talk by Karen Sarjeant ’75, private consultant to social justice organizations and former deputy director of the National Association for Public Interest Law (NAPIL).

Saxbe—who also holds a B.A. (speech, 1940) and an honorary doctorate (1975) from Ohio State—is a longtime supporter of the university whose past contributions include a gift to establish the William and Dolly (Ardath) Saxbe Endowed Fund for the Arts. His most recent gift to the Moritz College is part of Ohio State’s ongoing fund-raising efforts in support of the Academic Plan.

The Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University is Ohio’s flagship law school. Approximately 650 students attend classes at the school’s John Deaver Drinko Hall, located at 55 West 12th Avenue.

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