Stephen Stern, David Becker and Sheila Bader
There are many who know more than I about David’s outstanding scholarship, refined pedagogy, academic valor, and range of past achievements, but no one who knows any better than I what a wonderful teacher and fine friend David has been to so many. I can think of no person who brings as much honor to our university as he. What better time to celebrate with him than in his 50th year at Washington University!
For 38 of those 50 years I have known and admired David in many phases of my life. I first experienced his outstanding exercise of the art and skill of teaching when he was my Professor of Property in a tutorial for African-American students. During my time as a student I was President of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) for two of my three years and in that role I experienced him as one of the few professors who undertook strong, principled and sometimes unpopular advocacy for African-American students. After my graduation, I served in numerous School of Law volunteer positions, where I saw David remaining in touch with many of us and advocating for those like us in a variety of ways. I had an inside view of his effectiveness in the nearly 5 years I was employed by the School of Law.
David Becker, Sheila Bader and Jay Mosley
Since my retirement, I have remained in contact with him. I know I am one of thousands who have a special place in my heart for David, but he makes us all feel special. I think what I most admire is that he has effectively enabled justice for the entire time I have known him. He cares deeply about all his students and colleagues, but has been singular at the School of Law for consistently standing up for equal opportunity. He is a serious man and he is deeply respected, but I like that he also approaches life’s absurdities with good humor, endearing himself to people because he is so deeply humane. I have known many fine people, but David stands alone among them.
Shelia Bader, JD 1976