The University of Tulsa’s College of Law inaugurated the Fred Dorwart Chair in Law with a lecture delivered by Professor Janet K. Levit on October 3, 2023. This event, made possible by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, honors Frederic Dorwart, a distinguished attorney and former chair of the university’s Board of Trustees. The endowed chair is designed to recognize exceptional scholarship that addresses complex legal issues while enhancing the Tulsa community.
The lecture not only celebrated the establishment of the chair but also highlighted the college’s commitment to faculty excellence and community engagement. Many students viewed the event as a reflection of what sets the University of Tulsa apart: a learning environment where faculty research directly informs student education and advocacy efforts.
Kelsey Hancock, a law student at the university, expressed her admiration for Professor Levit, stating, “She inspires me weekly. Her capacity to look to a brighter future, even when her research reveals troubling realities, reminds me how important it is that we keep doing this work.”
Professor Levit, who holds degrees from Princeton, Yale, and Yale Law School, brings a wealth of experience to her role. She previously served as dean of the law school from 2007 to 2017 and has held positions as provost and interim president of the university. Her current research focuses on reproductive justice and implicit bias in leadership, and she leads the university’s Reproductive Justice Practicum.
Lecture Highlights Reproductive Rights
During her lecture, Professor Levit addressed how private universities can protect reproductive rights on campus through federal law, health insurance plans, and privacy protections. “Private universities are not powerless,” she emphasized. “They have several legal tools at their disposal.” This assertion resonated with attendees, particularly law student Dalton Long, who remarked, “It showed that the privileges of our education place us in a position to make tangible impact. We just have to be willing to do the research and speak up.”
Interim Dean Marc Roark reflected on the significance of the event, noting, “Moments like this remind us that scholarship is not abstract. At UTulsa Law, it becomes mentorship, conversation, and community.”
The lecture concluded with remarks from Professor Stacey Tovino of the University of Oklahoma. Tovino, an elected member of the American Law Institute and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, praised Levit’s research as “a model of rigor and relevance.” She underscored the contributions of UTulsa Law faculty to national conversations on law and policy.
This inaugural lecture not only marks a significant milestone for the University of Tulsa’s College of Law but also reinforces its dedication to addressing pressing legal and social issues through scholarly work and community engagement.
