FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2011
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Law book collection donated to legal studies program

COLUMBUS, Miss. – The personal law book collection of a longtime Columbus attorney has been donated to Mississippi University for Women’s legal studies program.

The donation was given by the family of Joe Sams, who passed away in December.

Dr. William “Bill” Mayfield, dean of MUW’s School of Professional Studies, said, “The collection will be housed in the library and will help build out the present law book collection.

“These books allow our legal studies students to utilize the same materials that they will encounter while practicing law if they go on to seek law school or if they seek to be a paralegal researching and executing for law firms.”

The Rev. Sandra DePriest, vicar of The Church of the Good Shepherd, where Sams was a member, was on hand for the presentation and to represent Sam’s daughter, Leah Sams Lumm.

“He wanted to make sure the books found a good home. He will be really glad to know that his books are being used instead of setting on a shelf,” she said.

Instructor Wesley Garrett, assistant director of the legal studies program at MUW, said, having the 1982 Mississippi Code will be invaluable.

“It will be helpful and convenient for the students. This is the most up-to-date code.”

MUW student Marcus Ferguson added because there are more students in the program, “There will be more books for us to pass around.”