Relocation Continues, Faculty and Staff Say Goodbye to 4801 Mass Ave

On Friday, Dec. 4, the second group of American University Washington College of Law faculty and staff began moving to the Tenley Campus. During the feverish packing in anticipation of the move, the members of our community reflected on their time at 4801 Massachusetts Avenue.

Robert Goldman, professor of law, Louis C. James scholar
“4801 Massachusetts Avenue sits on the old site of the Apex Theatre which my maternal grandfather, Fred Kogod, and his partner, Max Burka, built in 1938. Over the years the Apex hosted many premieres attended by the likes of Clark Gable, Carey Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Myrna Loy, as well as by US Presidents and Cabinet members. As a kid, I was lucky enough to meet many of them.

In the mid 1970s, my cousins redeveloped the property, resulting in the present structure that has housed WCL for the last 20 years. When I learned that we had purchased the building, I selected an office approximately where my grandfather’s and later my father’s office was located on the top floor of the Apex theatre."

Tony Varona, professor of law, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs
“The 4801 building has, indeed, served us very well, and was a quantum leap forward for the law school. Congrats and thanks to the colleagues who led our move to 4801. And now another quantum leap… to Tenley.”

Jamie Raskin, professor of law, director of the Law and Government program
“As we move into a glorious unknown future in the spectacular new campus, let us praise this functional building and the students who came here, the articles and books we wrote here, the service rendered, the clients served, the work done, the ideas and friendships that emerged.”

Jeffrey Lubbers, professor of practice in administrative law
“I started at WCL the day the new building opened—after a four-day wait due to a massive snowfall in early January 1996—so this is the only WCL I’ve known, and as it empties out, and as our future beckons, I already feel a little nostalgia for the place.”

Billie Jo Kaufman, professor of law, associate dean for library and information resources
“I will miss 4801 and its surroundings – the building was mean and lean but it served us well.  The stairs in the law library still catch my eye. Now at Tenley, the spaces are amazing – windows and multiple seating areas for study, research, and collaboration.  The rooftop patio will become a huge hit in the spring and the Reading Room is simply amazing.  We will be walking more for sure, but that might make my annual New Year’s resolution come true.”

 
 

Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs has a lot of boxes to take to Tenley
Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs has a lot of boxes to take to Tenley
JD Admissions team is well prepared for the move
JD Admissions team is well prepared for the move
International Legal Studies program packs up
International Legal Studies program packs up
Professor Robert Goldman cleaning out his office
Professor Robert Goldman cleaning out his office
LL.M. admissions team in action
LL.M. admissions team in action
Students assist professors and programs with packing
Students assist professors and programs with packing