INSPIRING LUNCH AND LAUGHS
      This past Friday, September 13, the 9th annual Lunch and Laughs with a Legal Legend was held at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown and it was an inspiring event! Pictured above are the participants, from left to right, Master of Ceremonies Kitty Dooley, Bar Foundation President Ellen Cappellanti, former WVU Foundation Vice President Lyn Dotson, Lunch and Laughs honoree General Ken Gray, former WVU College of Law Dean John Fisher and former WVU President David Hardesty. It was inspiring from the beginning since General Gray had been very recently hospitalized for blood clots and there was concern that he might not be able to attend the Lunch. However, with the strong support of his wife, Carolyn, his son, Chris and his granddaughter, Amaya (a WVU student), and demonstrating his indomitable spirit, the General arrived in a wheelchair, but insisted upon standing at the podium to make his remarks and, later, greet the large crowd of judges, lawyers, community leaders and friends in attendance. The comments made by MC Dooley, President Cappellanti and the three “roasters” (Hardesty, Fisher and Dotson) focused on General Gray’s leadership, integrity and character throughout his life—- at WVU Law School, as U.S. Army Judge Advocate General, during his WVU Vice Presidency and among numerous community groups. Even a surprise visit from WVU President Gordon Gee had the normally humorous Gee making comments regarding the General’s lasting positive impact on activities and programs to benefit WVU students now and into the future. The laughs came mostly from the General concerning his actions to deal with WVU’s former No. 1 party school ranking. The most poignant story related to the General’s impromptu solo a cappella singing of “Taps” at the D Day cemetery on Normandy Beach in France. The proceeds from the Lunch are designated to General Gray’s choice of the Veterans’ Legal Clinic at the WVU College of Law, as well as for Bar Foundation grants. It was Good Time for a Good Cause!
LUNCH AND LAUGHS SPONSORS/CONTRIBUTORS
      The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors wishes to express its utmost gratitude and appreciation to the following Sponsors/Contributors for the 9th Annual Lunch and Laughs event which was held on Friday, September 13, 2019, at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown: Steptoe and Johnson WVU President’s Office WVU College of Law WV Bar Foundation Judy and Rob Fisher, Esq. Justice Larry Starcher Judge Irene Keeley Judge Irene Berger Judge Edwin Flowers BAR FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
      The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown, immediately after the Lunch and Laughs event on September 13. The vast majority of the 15 Board Members were in attendance personally or by telephone conference call. The Board reviewed its financial report, made revenue enhancements in activities for the first time in ten to twenty years, discussed grant making opportunities and did strategic planning.