'Celebrating King Hall' Honors Professor Horton, Scholarship Donors and Recipients

Professor David Horton was honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award at "Celebrating King Hall," a special event recognizing scholarship recipients and donors, paying tribute to excellence in teaching, and celebrating the King Hall community.  The March 5 gathering included remarks from Dean Kevin R. Johnson, Dean's Merit Scholarship recipient Tiffanie de la Riva '15, Professor Edward Imwinkelried, and Professor Horton.

Dean Johnson welcomed the audience, acknowledging the members of the UC Davis School of Law Alumni Board, faculty members, and donors in attendance. He briefly summarized recent accomplishments of the School of Law and recognized the contributions of Professor Alan Brownstein and Professor Leslie Kurtz, both of whom recently retired after more than 30 years on the King Hall faculty. "On behalf of the King Hall community, I would like to say 'thank you' for all that they have done throughout the years," Dean Johnson said.

The dean also thanked the donors in attendance for their support of student scholarships. "Scholarships enable the law school to continue to offer the best in public legal education to deserving students of all backgrounds," he said. "Scholarships help us compete for the King Hall students who are true to our community of excellence and diversity.  Thanks to all our supporters who have helped with student scholarships."

De la Riva also spoke of the importance of scholarships, focusing on the ways in which they enrich the student experience by allowing recipients to worry less about tuition and explore the many opportunities offered by King Hall.

"Because I had help with the financial burden of law school, I was able to throw myself into King Hall life," said de la Riva. "I was able to work on a journal, help with diversity efforts, and rediscover my passion for teaching and helping others. I've been able to experience some of the most challenging, rewarding, and unforgettable years of my life. To the donors, I want to say thank you for your contributions. You have helped make achieving our goals possible."

Professor Imwinkelried introduced Professor Horton. He spoke of how the King Hall faculty has changed over the years, becoming bigger, more diverse, and more renowned for its scholarship. "Through all these changes, there has been one constant at this law school, and that constant has been a commitment to classroom teaching," he said. Professor Horton, Imwinkelried said, "represents the best of the teaching tradition at this law school."

Horton gave an often humorous presentation of various "tricks learned over the years" as a law professor, and then spoke seriously about his gratitude in receiving the Distinguished Teaching Award.  Teaching at King Hall over the past three years has been a wonderful experience, he said, thanks to faculty colleagues who welcomed him with open arms and "our amazing students."

"It is joyous to teach at King Hall," Horton said. "Thank you so much for this tremendous honor."