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PHILANTHROPY
Federal military judge delivers second Acker Lecture
The Hon. Margaret Ryan, judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, spoke on campus March 4. She also
fielded questions from a class on Congress and the American Presidency; had breakfast with a group of female leaders from
student government, Greek life, and other campus organizations; and talked with pre-law students at a reception.
Ryan’s visit was made possible by the William M. Acker Jr. Visiting Scholar Program in the History of the Early American
Republic. Launched in 2011, the program—created by a generous gift from the Hon. William M. Acker Jr. ’49—brings
distinguished speakers to campus.
“(Judge Ryan) is a down-to-earth but brilliant jurist who has had a fascinating career path,” said Acker. “She proved to
this judge that the top tier of our military justice system is in good hands. I am happy to have had a part in bringing her to
the campus.”
Acker graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a political science degree from Birmingham-Southern and
received his law degree at Yale University. After 30 years in private practice, he was appointed U.S. District Judge for the
Northern District of Alabama by President Ronald Reagan. He now serves in a senior status.
Before becoming a judge, Acker was involved in Republican Party politics and served on the Alabama Republican
Executive Committee; he has also been president of the Legal Aid Society, the Birmingham Jaycees, and the Birmingham
Area YMCA. His endowed gift ensures that students are exposed to a broad perspective on legal and other issues on campus.
“
Once you are ready to thrive in your professional life,
think about how you can strive for the ultimate goal of
significance
.
”
— Judge Ryan
Frank Mason, chairman of the Mason Corp., with Russell Day, junior
chemistry major and 2012-13 Rushton Scholar. Mason’s scholarship
supports future entrepreneurs.
L to r: Dr. Vijay Caplash, BSC Professor of Marketing Dr. Jack Taylor,
and Dr. Monica Caplash Lucas ’06. The Sundeep Andy Caplash
Scholarship will be awarded at BSC for the first time this year in honor
of Andy Caplash ’94, who was killed in a car accident in 2011.