WE THE PEOPLE The We The People program promotes civic education, competency and responsibility among secondary school students in West Virginia and throughout the country. The students learn about the Constitution, legal rights and responsibilities, make presentations and discuss these matters with judicial panels consisting of lawyers, judges and community leaders. Last week, Congressional District and statewide competitions were held, virtually, with participation by Woodrow Wilson (Beckley), Clay County, Robert C. Byrd (Clarksburg) and Tyler County. Pictured above is Clay County High School, which was declared the winner. On the top left is Philip Dobbins, the teacher, and, on the top right, is Mike Mullens, a retired teacher, who served as a coach.   Clay County will represent WV in the National Competition, which will be held, virtually in April. In addition, the second place finisher, Robert C. Byrd, has been invited to attend as a wild card team.   The Bar Foundation serves as the Fiscal Agent for this impressive program after having administered the program and provided grants in the past.   Congratulations to Clay County High School for finishing in first place in the WV We The People competition!   Best wishes to the students, teachers and coaches of Clay County and Robert C. Byrd as they represent our state in the We The People National Competition in April.     ‌ NEW WVU COLLEGE OF LAW DEAN Last week, a new Dean for the WU College of Law was announced— Amelia Smith Rinehart. She is the associate dean of academic affairs and professor at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Her appointment at WVU Law will begin June 30.   In the formal announcement made by WVU Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed, the following comments were made– “From her childhood in rural Louisiana to her role as a problem solver and innovator at the University of Utah, Amelia Smith Rinehart has honed the ideal vision to make our College of Law a leader in 21st century legal education and an engine for progress and equity throughout West Virginia, WVU President Gordon Gee said.” (Gee is a Bar Foundation Fellow.)   “She is both an engineer and lawyer by training and practice, as well as an academic leader who values cross-disciplinary collaboration, community engagement and stewardship,” Reed said. “We look forward to seeing how she brings her entrepreneurial and innovative spirit to WVU to help advance the College of Law for future generations.”   “I am honored and beyond excited to join the West Virginia University College of Law and the WVU family during these momentous times,” Rinehart said. “The College of Law has a reputation for exemplary faculty, high-achieving students and alumni, and innovative programs that further its mission to excel, to lead and to serve. I look forward to working with President Gee; Provost Reed; the College of Law faculty, staff, students, and alumni; and all of our WVU community members to help the College of Law rise to the challenges that we face in legal education today. Working together, I’m confident that we will thrive in our pursuit of excellence and service and do so committed in every way to our Mountaineer values.”   Professor John Taylor has served as interim dean of the College of Law since July 2020 and will return to the faculty in July 2021. “We are grateful for and appreciative of Professor Taylor’s steadfast leadership this year, especially given the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented,” Reed said. “I know he will continue to serve the law school faculty and the University throughout the spring semester and ensure a successful transition to Professor Rinehart’s leadership.”   Interim Dean Taylor is a Bar Foundation Fellow and currently serves on the Bar Foundation Board of Directors.   The Bar Foundation and its Board of Directors congratulates incoming Law School Dean Amelia Smith Rinehart and looks forward to working with her to improve the important work being accomplished at the WVU College of Law.     ‌ DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY Today is the national holiday dedicated to civil rights advocate and leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   As Dr. King stated—-“The time is always right to do what is right.” (Oberlin College-October, 1964)   From his “I Have A Dream” speech in Washington, DC-August, 1963—“Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy.”     ‌ ‌ ‌