At the start of their last monthly faculty meeting as co-deans on June 13, Jessica Berg and Michael Scharf celebrated the completion of the renovation of the faculty meeting room with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
With gifts from Roe Green, George and Stephanie Simon, and the law firms of Elk & Elk, Tarolli Sundheim and BakerHostetler, Berg and Scharf oversaw extensive renovations at the School of Law during their ten plus years as co-deans. These gifts enabled the school to make classroom upgrades, install two large media walls, as well as new carpeting, lighting, furniture and technology throughout the school.
"From end to end, the law school interior looks brand new," said Scharf. "And thanks to Dean Berg's exceptional aesthetic taste, it has a fresh, warm and welcoming vibe."
The last room to be completed under their watch just this week was the faculty meeting room -- a venue for monthly faculty meetings, academic presentations and workshops. The renovation of the faculty meeting room was made possible by a generous gift from George Simon (LAW '96) and his daughter, Stephanie Simon Bartos (LAW '08). The Simons also provided a gift five years ago to create the popular Stephanie Simon Bartos Resjudicafe, a full-service eatery located adjacent to the "Ben's Place" student lounge.
A plaque near the entrance to the renovated faculty meeting room reads, "This renovated space represents a commitment from the Simon family towards supporting the world-renowned faculty at Case Western Reserve School of Law. Throughout the School of Law's history, the faculty has been recognized for their high scholarly impact."
"The School of Law is extraordinarily grateful for the longstanding philanthropic support of the Simon family," said Dean Berg. "This ribbon cutting celebration is a great way to conclude our deanship," added Scharf.