George Mason University will rename their law school "The Antonin Scalia School of Law" after receiving two donations totaling $30 million. These gifts are the largest in school history. While the name change isn't official yet, everything is expected to be switched to the new name by July. (To avoid the awkward acronym that many pointed out was formed by the new name, the school will probably be referred to as "Scalia Law School.")
The change still needs a final go-ahead from Virginia’s higher education oversight agency, which is expected to give its blessing.
The school’s dean expects that people will call it Scalia Law School for short. By July, all the school’s signage and marketing materials will bear the late justice’s name, school officials said.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said in a statement that the renaming is a fitting tribute to her late colleague and close friend, who died Feb. 13.
The 37-year-old public law school, which is part of the Virginia state university system, enrolls about 500 students and was placed in the top 50 in U.S. News and World Report’s most recent ranking of top law schools. Its faculty is known for its libertarian and free-market leanings. Many of the professors have backgrounds on Capitol Hill.
The $30 million comes from two sources. An anonymous donor who asked for the renaming gave $20 million. Another $10 million came from the charity founded by the billionaire conservative activist and industrial magnate Charles Koch.
Naturally, some people were very upset with the name change:
Antonin Scalia School of Law? George Mason just dropped a tier. Good luck with that graduates!
— Cheryl (@Hushes) March 31, 2016
I will NEVER say I graduated from the Antonin Scalia School of Law. #GMUSL
— Phil Yabut (@philliefan_99) March 31, 2016
We deserve all the bad things. https://t.co/QGZXtdhejB
— Brent Cox (@titivil) March 31, 2016
The GMU law school is going to be renamed the Antonin Scalia School of Law?
— Katharine Dickson (@KLDneuro) March 31, 2016
Fuck.
Shame on you, alma mater.
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so Charles Koch gives George Mason money
— Dog The Cat (@dogthefootsteps) March 31, 2016
and this happens https://t.co/qjqxHrxj4ghttps://t.co/ssxHu6sjl1
And others were thrilled:
Re: Antonin Scalia School of Law
— Vivek (@VerverkS) March 31, 2016
This is how I've made the resume change. pic.twitter.com/VyTW77i05X
As of today I can now tell people I graduated from the Antonin Scalia School of Law https://t.co/8MyfdCHfnp
— Conn Carroll (@conncarroll) March 31, 2016
George Mason University Renames Law School After Justice Antonin Scalia --> https://t.co/f0HKxfPXv0 Excellent way to honor a great man.
— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) March 31, 2016
For once(probably just a few moments), I am proud to be a Mason Alum https://t.co/2LOfbfyVEN
— Storm Paglia (@storm_paglia) March 31, 2016
Statement from GMU president. People are going to get so triggered pic.twitter.com/kiSUpiHfnJ
— Ashley Rae (@Communism_Kills) March 31, 2016
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