$21 million gift from Frank Eck to
On July 1, 2005, Alumnus Frank E. Eck made a $21 million gift to the
University for the construction of a second building for Notre Dame
Law School, as well as a multipurpose facility in a neo-Gothic archway
that will link the new structure to the existing building.
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NOTRE DAME lawyer FALL 2005
The gift is the fifth largest in Notre Dame’s history, the largest
ever to the Law School, and one of the largest in the history of
American legal education.
Eck Hall will stand on the site of the former post office. It
will be connected to the south side of the current Law School
building by Eck Commons, a facility that will feature arches
over an east-west walkway.
“The generosity of Frank Eck and his family to Notre Dame is
legendary, and we once again are tremendously appreciative,”
said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., in accepting the gift on his
first day as the University’s president. “The addition to the Law
School and the renovations to the current facility will enhance
the education of our students as superbly qualified professionals
attuned to Gospel values and the demands of justice, as well as
enable our outstanding faculty to continue and even strengthen
their excellent and distinctive scholarly work.”
fund Law School expansion
NOTRE DAME lawyer FALL 2005 7
John Affl eck-Graves, executive vice president of the
University, noted: “When added to the approximately $26
million in cash and commitments already received toward the
Law School renovation and expansion, this gift is a giant step
forward in reaching our total goal of $57.3 million and allows
us to retain architects and begin the interior design phase of the
project.”
“The new Law School building will be a powerful
testament to our continuing efforts to be a premier law school,
faithful to our roots in the Catholic intellectual tradition,”
said Patricia O’Hara, Matson Dean of the Law School. “The
dramatic arch connecting the new building to our existing
facility will bridge our illus