The law school honored one of its most hallowed traditions on March 29, with the Public Interest Auction at the World Café Live.
The event, now in its fifth year, raises funds for students taking unpaid public interest and non-profit legal internships this summer. The funds reward the students for their commitment to public interest work by offsetting the cost of living for students who incur significant financial burden by taking an unpaid position.

This year the auction raised over $20,000, with the hot ticket item being the rights to control of Dean Roger Dennis’ facial hair for four weeks. The rights sold at an auction price of $550 to Professor Beth Haas. Now, only Haas can decide whether the beard stays or goes.

Some of the other items offered up for auction ranged from bowling with professors Cohen, Oates and Stern to a $1,500 BarBri voucher.

The event has always relied on the generosity and courage of faculty and students to shed their inhibitions - and sometimes their dignity - for a good cause.

Students and faculty participated in karaoke with the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic students fittingly performing an inspirational rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye.

Dean of Students, Kevin Oates, transitioned from auctioneer to channeling his inner Anthony Kiedis by performing “Otherside” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers while supported by a live band comprised of the school’s students.

Professor Donald Tibbs, presumably inspired by his course and lecture series on hip-hop and the American constitution, performed “Big Poppa” by the late and great Notorious B.I.G. The jury is still out on which, Oates’ or Tibbs’ performance, gets the best - or most embarrassing - performance of the night award. Regardless of who wins, one thing is for sure, it will not be hard for someone else to take the title next year.

The auction was organized by Director for Pro Bono and Public Interest Programs, Karen Pearlman Raab, Associate Dean for Experiential Learning, Susan L. Brooks, and the Public Interest Experience Auction Executive Committee which includes 3L Sara Delhauer, 3L Elizabeth Tarloski, 3L Brian Krier, 3L Claudia Shank, 2L Jack Strucker, 2L Julia Theobald, 2L Shana Weiner, and 2L Mary Costello.