Page 31 - Laker Connection Fall 2013

trustee profile
BOB OLIVER AND JACK HANCOCK ENDOWMENTS MAKE DREAMS REAL
In recognition of his contributions to Clayton State and the surrounding community, the partners of Freeman Mathis & Gary created and endowed the G. Robert Oliver Scholar- ship for Legal Studies. This will forever link Oliver and Clayton State in a way that emphasizes the importance of education, leadership, and the legal profession. Family, friends, and local officials gathered at a March 2013 Foundation Board meeting to surprise Oliver with the announcement.
“While I am honored that my colleagues at Freeman, Mathis & Gary would establish this schol- arship in my name, the significance of what the law firm has done goes far beyond any personal recog- nition. To provide a grant of money to be used by Clayton State students to pursue a course in legal studies and to further a student’s education in a par- ticular field of study is a noble thing,” says Oliver.
Oliver has played a significant role in the Uni- versity’s development over the years. He is a charter member of the Board of Trustees and, in 1999, was named chairman of the then-Clayton College & State University Foundation. He now serves as trustee emeritus In 2001, he was awarded an honorary doc- torate from Clayton State.
Clayton State began offering a variety of op- tions in legal education in 1990, beginning with con- tinuing education paralegal courses. The University graduated its first students with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies in 2011. Currently, the University of- fers a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, a paralegal certificate, an associate degree in paralegal studies, and a minor in legal studies. More than 150 students are enrolled in a program within legal studies, making it one of the fastest-growing departments.
“Participation in the G. Robert Oliver Schol- arship for Legal Studies is an avenue by which I can enable young people to advance their education in a field that I have loved for more than 30 years. At the
same time and equally as important it gives me the opportunity to honor a man that I have admired and respected for many years. Mr. Oliver epitomizes the best in our profession. Throughout Mr. Oliver’s ca- reer he has served his clients and his community with the highest level of
skill and integrity,” says Jack Hancock, attorney and partner at Freeman, Mathis, and Gary.
Jack Hancock is currently serving as assistant secretary treasurer on the Clay- ton State Foundation Board of Trustees. He
began serving on the board in 2009. Hancock re- ceived his B.B.A. and J.D. from the University of Georgia. He serves as special assistant attorney gen- eral and has served on the Board of Directors for the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure on the chamber board he served as legal coun- sel and served two terms as chairman of the board.
Robert G. Oliver received his A.B. in 1953 and LL.B. in 1959 from Emory University. He has served as deputy assistant attorney general for the State of Georgia, president of the Georgia Academy of Hospital Attorneys, president of the Clayton County Bar Association, chairman of the Code of Professional Responsibility Committee for the State Bar of Georgia, and chairman of the State Bar of Georgia, Formal Advisory Opinion Board. He has also served as chair, administrative board member and Church Council member at Jones Memorial United Methodist Church in Morrow, Ga.
__ Erin Fender
My hope is that this scholarship can provide the means whereby Clayton State students can pursue an education in legal studies and hopefully encourage them to consider careers in law related fields.
- Bob Oliver
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