University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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Dedicated To ... W. PAGE KEETON Dean of the School of Law Professor of Law The functiont of the lawyer in our society Unlay arc probably more important than they have ever been in the history of mankind because our national and international problems arc of unprecedented gravity. It cannot, therefore, be denied that the kind of legal education that is provided in our law schools is of the utmost .significance. The hue School of the University of Texas occupies a very special and unique )x sition because of the rapid growth and development of the State of Texas. The challenge at our law school, therefore, in the advancement of justice in human affairs is tremendous. It am not he satisfactorily met by the faculty without the assistance of the many loyal alumni at the bar. If, however, we approach our common task together with the proper zeal aiul enthusiasm, I ion ixmfiilent that we can build soundly upon the solid foundation of the past. Will) these words Werdner Page Keeton accepted the position of IXxin of The University of Texas Law School, one of the largest state law schools in the nation. Born in Clarksville, Texas, on August 22, 1909, he was one of five children of William Robert ami Mildred Ernestine (Tuten) Keeton. Following his graduation in May 192 , as the 15-year-old valedictorian of hi' Clarksville High School class, he entered The University of Texas and in 1931 received both his B.A. and LL.B. degrees. As an undergraduate he compiled an enviable record, becoming a member of Tejas Clyb, Pi Sigma Alpha, Phi Beta Kappa. Pin Delta Phi. Chancellors, Order of the Coif, and the editorial staff of the Texas Imw Review. He also served as quizmaster in 1930-31 and as president of the Law School student body the same year. Upon graduation he was appointed an Assistant Professor of Law at his alma mater, and hv 1939 he had advanced to the position of a full Professor of Law. In 1910 his outstanding ability was recognized further when he was selected as the first Assistant Dean of the Law School. During a leave of absence in 1935-36 he completed work at Harvard Law School and received hi' Doctor of Juridical Science degree. On a subsequent leave of absence lie served with the Office of Price Administration from 1942 until 1945 when he- became assistant chief counsel of the Petroleum Administration for War. He returned to the Law School in November. 1945. hut left the following year to become Dean of The University’ of Oklahoma Law School. In September. 1949. he returned to The University of Texas as Dean of the Law School, succeeding Dean Charles T. McCormick, who had resigned to devote his time to teaching and research. A member of the Texas, Oklahoma, and American Bar Associations, lie also served on the Judicial Council of Oklahoma from 1946 to 1949 He has written extensively for the Texas, Oklahoma. Pennsylvania and Minnesota I-«w Reviews and others, Joined Seavey and Thurston in co-authoring Cases on Torts, and wrote Casebook on Fraud and Mistake, published during the current year. He and Madge Anna Stewart were married in 1934 and now have two children, Richard Page. 16. and Carole Stewart. I t. The dynamic young dean has added considerable luster to tin- reputation of the already highly-regarded I-aw School. Since the beginning of his administration, the Board of Regents approved tin- construction of a new physical plant and in December, 1953. $2,250,000 Townes Hall and Tarleton Library were dedicated; the Law School Foundation was created in 1951 and has been successfully securing gifts for the promotion of research In legal education; the Small Gifts Program since 1951 has secured some $10,000 annually for scliolarsiiips. institutes, and conferences, and tin- Ia»w-Seiei»ee Institute under the direction of Dr. Hubert Winston Smith iicgaii in 1952 making its contribution thioughout the nation. Considering in retrospect flu- accomplishments of Werdner Page Keeton, particularly his outstanding record as Dean of The University of Texas Law School, tlic staff of The 1954 Percgrinus proudly dedicates this yearbook to him and expresses its confidence that he will continue to build soundly upon tire solid foundation of the past. I Past Dedicatees . . . 1949 1950 Robert Weldon Stnytnn Distinguished Professor Charles Tilford McCormick Distinguished Professor 1951 James P. Harl Unil ersity Chancellor 1952 Leon Green Distinguished Professor 1953 George Wilfred Stumbcrg Distinguished Professor