Expanding Viewpoints
The ONU Law Lecture Series provides a forum for our law students to listen and learn from leading legal scholars and law faculty from around the world. Every year we present several lecture series on campus. The Kormendy Lecture Series and the Woodworth Lecture Series are annual events. The Carhart Memorial Program in Legal Ethics offers a lecture in even years and a symposium in odd years. The Dean’s Lecture Series brings law faculty from across the U.S. to share their expertise.-
Established in 1980, this annual lectureship brings a prominent individual to campus to address matters of law in a public forum. Helen E. Kormendy, widow of the late Dr. Steven W. Kormendy, provided the endowment gift that established the lecture series. Dr. Kormendy, who died in 1985, graduated from ONU Law in 1928 and was posthumously awarded the honorary L.L.D. degree in 1985. The Ohio State Bar Association honored him for 50 years of law practice, and he was active in events in the Hungarian community in Cleveland. He and Helen were generous supporters of ONU throughout their lives. Helen passed away in 1998.
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The Laurence Neal Woodworth Memorial Lectures in Federal Tax Law and Policy brings to campus a distinguished scholar or professional in tax law. The lecture series is named in honor of Laurence Neal Woodworth, a 1940 graduate of ONU, and a long-serving Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation.
Dr. Woodworth joined the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation in 1944, became Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee in 1964 and served with distinction in that position until he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy, the principal tax policy official in the executive branch, in 1977. His term as Assistant Secretary ended suddenly with his death in 1977. In recognition of his service, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest decoration awarded by the Treasury Department. As Chief of Staff, Dr. Woodworth played an important role in shaping such landmark legislation at the Tax Reform Acts of 1969 and 1976 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974.
Dr. Woodworth had an encyclopedic knowledge of federal tax law and policy, and he was able to explain even the most complex legislative proposals clearly and simply. He was known for his bipartisanship in leading the Joint Committee, as well as for his gracious and kindly personality. Dr. Woodworth also was a mentor and friend to economists and lawyers who went on to make outstanding contributions in government and in private tax practice. Dr. Woodworth also served his community and Ohio Northern with distinction. He was mayor of Cheverly, Maryland, trustee of Ohio Northern from 1969-1977, and was instrumental in establishing several endowed chairs at ONU. The lecture series was endowed by Dr. Woodworth's friends and associates.
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Established in 2007, the Fred L. Carhart Memorial Program in Legal Ethics brings eminent scholars, jurists, and lawyers to ONU Law for lectures, seminars, and panel discussions. The program funds lectures and symposia in alternating years. The endowment to fund the program came from the estate of Dwight L. Carhart, JD ‘47, in memory of his father, Fred L. Carhart, BS 1902. Fred was a lifelong attorney in Marion, Ohio until his death in 1948. Dwight started at ONU Law then left to join the U.S. Army, fighting in the European theatre during World War II. He completed his law degree after the war while his wife, Ruth, served as housemother of Turner Hall at ONU. Following graduation, he practiced law in Marion and served as assistant prosecutor. He then served as a JAG officer and Captain in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He later worked for the Federal Trade Commission and then for General Electric until his retirement in 1979. He died in 2005. The Carharts also donated several historical items to ONU during their lifetimes.
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Established in 2004, the Dean’s Lecture Series brings renowned legal speakers to ONU Law to promote scholarly discussion among students, faculty and visiting scholars.