SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
WV Bar Foundation President Ken Gray (Morgantown) received the highly prestigious Spirit of Excellence Award for his commitment to racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession during the American Bar Association meeting in February.
The Award, which is presented by the ABA’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession, honors lawyers “who excel in their professional settings; who personify excellence on the national, state and local level; and who have demonstrated a commitment to racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession.”
Ken, a native of McDowell County, graduated from WV State University and received his law degree from WVU, where he was the only African-American student during his three years of study. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, served in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, rose to the rank of Major General and became the Army Deputy Judge Advocate General.
He was the first African-American general in the history of the active Army JAG Corps. Among his long list of accomplishments was his introduction of “an internship program that still gives minority and other law students an opportunity to sample life as a JAG before committing to a military career.”
After his highly decorated career in the Armed Services, Ken served as the Vice President for Student Affairs at WVU for almost two decades of successful endeavors. Ken and his wife, Carolyn, now volunteer their expertise and leadership to numerous programs and activities throughout the state.
Congratulations to Ken Gray!

BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS DINNER
The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors, consisting of two judges and thirteen lawyers from all parts of the state and all types of law practice, announces the 20th class of Bar Foundation Fellows!
The criteria for Bar Foundation Fellows is those judges and lawyers whose professional, public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and honorable service to the legal profession with the individuals selected reflecting the diverse nature of the legal profession in West Virginia.
There have been approximately 350 lawyers and judges selected as Fellows over the years from the 6,000 judges and lawyers here in WV.
The members of this year’s class of outstanding individuals are:

Judge Omar Aboulhosn-Bluefield
John Barrett-Charleston
Dean Greg Bowman-Morgantown
Lew Brewer-Charleston
Lynn Clarke-Charleston
John Droppleman-West Union
Judge Paul Farrell-Huntington
Dave Hendrickson-Charleston
Steve Higgins-Morgantown
Judge Patricia Hill-Morgantown
Jim Lees-Charleston
Professor Pat McGinley-Morgantown
Larry Schultz-Martinsburg
Judge Joanna Tabit-Charleston
Kelli Talbott-Charleston
Frederick Williams-Charleston
Bobby Warner-Charleston

These Fellows will be honored during the Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the Charleston Marriott Hotel.
The well received event (black tie optional) begins at 6:00PM and the cost is $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of ten persons. The majority of the amount is tax deductible and the net proceeds from the Dinner are used for Bar Foundation grants to improve the administration of justice in the state.
Please contact Tom Tinder to make your reservations—(304)-343-9823, tom@wvbarfoundation.org or WV Bar Foundation, P. O. Box 4845, Charleston, WV 25364
Make your reservations now!
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BAR FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Bar Foundation Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting last week with participants in person at the WVU College of Law in Morgantown and by conference call from across the state.
The Board members reviewed the stable financial condition of the organization, approved Bar Foundation grants, received a Nominating Committee report and considered the Justice Fund endowment.
Decisions were also made regarding the Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on April 26, the Antero Lawyer Leadership Institute on May 18-20 and the Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend on September 7.