LEGAL HALL OF FAME
Quincy University established the Legal Hall of Fame in 2017 to help recognize and honor outstanding Alumni who have practiced in the legal field and other members of the community and University who have given meritorious service to the Mock Trial and Pre-Law programs at Quincy University.
Under the leadership of Dr. John Evans and Dr. Dennis Hostetler, Quincy University began preparing students for legal professions in the 1960’s. In the 1980’s Dr. Bill Postiglione began offering Pre-Law Advising & LSAT Preparation in collaboration with local attorneys and judges to offer pre-law internships. In the late 90’s Dr. Brian Borlas helped QU launch a pre-law concentration followed closely by the start of the first Mock Trial team in 2000 with the assistance of Professor Judy Abbott and Judge Mark Schuering. In 2012 the John ‘Pete’ Brown Courtroom was opened and it was announced in 2015 that QU would partner with St. Louis University’s School of Law to offer a 3 + 3 partnership which allows pre-law students to earn a bachelor’s degree from QU and a Juris Doctor degree from SLU LAW through a six-year program.
QU’s Center for Legal Studies was dedicated in April 2017 to develop and promote the scholarly pursuits of students interested in the legal profession. The center includes the John “Pete” Brown Courtroom, classrooms, conference rooms, a computer lab and a law library. From questioning a witness in a mock trial to analyzing evidence with state-of-the-art forensic technology to investigating a staged crime scene, the Center for Legal Studies has the tools for success in criminal justice. Courses and practica focusing on constitutional, civil, international and criminal legal issues, prepare students for advanced study in law school. Others courses prepare students for careers in law enforcement, security, investigations, forensic psychology, criminal profiling or court reporting.
“I witnessed the evolution of the QU Pre-Law Program from 1975 to the present and can attest that Quincy University has the premier undergraduate pre-law program for students who wish to pursue a career in the law. This program provides QU students with the knowledge, tools and confidence to succeed in law school and in the practice of law,” said Judge Mark Schuering (Ret.) Retired Circuit Judge of the State of Illinois, Eighth Judicial Circuit Adams County.
Nominations for the Legal Hall of Fame can be made in four categories
- Former Mock Trial Team Member
- Member of the Legal Community
- Meritorious Service to the QU Legal Studies Program
- A QU Mock Trial Team
Nominations can be sent to qulegalhallfame@quincy.edu and should include the following:
Your name and contact info
- Full Name of Nominee
- Nominee Contact information (Address/Cell phone)
- Employer of Nominee / Firm Name
- Year of Graduation (If known)
- A brief explanation of why the nominee deserves the award.
For information contact Judy Abbott at abbotju@quincy.edu or 217-228-5432, ext. 3196.
Class of 2018
William Harte ’54
Honorable Susan F. Hutchinson ’71
Mallory Littlejohn ’08
Delmer Mitchell, J.D.
Dr. William Postiglione
Garret Ruffin ’07
Mike Sennett ’73
2001-2002 Mock Trial Team
(Aaron Bellm, Maria Bocanegra, Chuck Davis, Deanna Hammond, Ron Hart, Elizabeth Heckenast, Kevin Niemeyer and Jennifer Platt Robbins)
Class of 2019
Teresa Kettelkamp ’74
Michael F. McClain
James L. Palmer ’70
David K. Slocum ’63
Class of 2021
Honorable Robert G. Dowd Jr. JD ’73
Clairice Hetzler MSW, LCSW ’09
Mary Jo White JD ’63
The Adams County Bar Association
Class of 2023
Michael Bickhaus, JD ’90
William “Bill” Davis ,JD ’04
Melissa Pratt Lore, JD ’97
Mark Mantovani, JD ’76
Class of 2024
Maria Bocanegra ’04
Richard Schulte ’91
2004-2005 Mock Trial Team
(Christopher Blaesing, Nikki Hendricks, Brett Bozarth, Richard Appelbaum, Garrett Ruffin, Emily Depauw Stolarski)