The Class of 1983 William B. Spong, Jr. Classroom was formally dedicated on April 15 during Alumni Weekend 2005.

The Class raised more   than $300,000 in gifts and pledges for its 20th    reunion in 2003 to make   the classroom possible.      It was, at the time, the   largest gift ever made       by a reunion class. The   class previously honored Dean Spong at its 15th reunion with the creation    of the Class of 1983   William B. Spong, Jr. Scholarship in Law. Spong (1920-1997) served as    Law School dean from   1976 to 1985. He also served as a United States Senator during a long      and distinguished career devoted to the public good.

Dean Taylor Reveley noted during the ceremony that the class’s continued generosity made possible the striking transformation of room 119, one of the  Law School’s largest classrooms.

The transformation of room 119 began when workers channeled through the concrete floor and laid new conduits to bring electricity to each seat on each tier of the amphitheater-style classroom and to allow other technological upgrades.  (Wireless access to the web had been installed previously.)  Attractive student desks were installed with outlets, comfortable seats, and generously proportioned work areas.  The classroom’s dual entrances were clothed in rich, mahogany-stained paneling, which also forms the lower part of a chair rail inside the room.  The upper halves of the interior walls were swathed in attractive fabric acoustical tiles. A large, mahogany-paneled desk for professors now graces the amphitheater’s center, with a workstation nearby for the use of electronic teaching tools.  Dean Spong’s portrait has been hung in a place of honor inside the classroom, and a bronze plaque hangs outside the entrance, emblazoned with the room’s new name.

Dean Spong’s son Tom and daughter-in-law Misti were on hand for the dedication and joined alumni, faculty, staff and students in a tour following the dedication.

Law School Foundation Board member James D. Penny ’83 cut the ribbon at the ceremony and spoke eloquently for his class:

    Nearly a quarter century ago, the Class of 1983 gathered during our first-year orientation in this then brand new law school building to hear words of welcome from a gentle giant of Virginia politics. Dean Spong had worked tirelessly for more than four years to pull this law school back from the brink and to place it back on the road to national prominence.  This law school building was the tangible culmination of his efforts, and he was justifiably proud.   

    But on this day, he spoke not of his accomplishments; instead, he spoke, in his wonderful Tidewater drawl, of the credentials and accomplishments of the Class of 1983 and his view that our class would serve as a bellweather for the future of the Law School. 

    A bond was forged that day between our class and this great Virginian. It was a bond that grew ever stronger through three years of law school as Dean Spong led us, encouraged us, instructed us in legal ethics, and taught us through both his words and deeds of the importance of becoming citizen lawyers. 

    For our 15-year Reunion in 1998, we honored our bond with Dean Spong with a record class reunion gift of almost $80,000, with half of the amount going to establish the Class of 1983 William B. Spong, Jr. Scholarship in Law. To date, the Spong Scholarship has provided financial support for seven Marshall-Wythe students. 

    For our 20-year Reunion in 2003, the Class of 1983 wanted to create a more visible memorial to Dean Spong and our bond with him.  The result is this magnificent room.     

Dean Reveley, at left, and Tom and Misti Spong enjoy a tour of the new Class of 1983 Spong Classroom following the dedication.

    In establishing this memorial classroom, our class donated more than $300,000 and set another class reunion gift record.  As is inscribed  on the bronze plaque that graces    the entrance to this room, we did      it in gratitude for Dean Spong’s dedication and exceptional service   as Dean of this Law School           from 1976 through 1985.

    Now, on behalf of the Class of 1983, I have some words of thanks.

    We would like to thank Dean Reveley and Associate Dean Liz Jackson for spearheading the amazing transformation of this classroom into a fitting memorial    for Dean Spong. 

    We also thank President Sullivan and Dean Reveley for taking up Dean Spong's mantle and continuing this ancient law school on the road to national prominence.

    Finally, we thank Dean Spong's family for allowing us the incredible privilege of knowing William Belzer Spong, Jr.