Gannon University has received a generous gift toward the pre-law program on campus, by a distinguished alumnus.
Charles W. Deaner, Esq., gave Gannon a gift of $1 million. In his honor, the pre-law program on campus will be named the Charles W. Deaner, Esq. Pre-Law Program, as Deaner has a lifelong career in law.
Bernadette Agresti, director of the Legal Studies Program, said that the name of the program is fitting.
“He has put faith in us to use his money to the best advantage,” Agresti said.
“He began his higher education here at Gannon and made a great success of his career as a lawyer, earning enough to offer this gift.”
The pre-law program at Gannon prepares the students for law school in an aspect of law of their choice, such as politics, public interest law, civil and criminal law or patent or copyright law. This is done via courses and optional hands-on internship experiences while enrolled in the program.
Deaner served in the United States Army in World War II, and then attended Gannon and earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts.
He then went to law school at Syracuse University and graduated in 1951.
Living in Nevada for several years, Deaner was admitted into the Nevada Bar in 1953, which regulates and provides education for attorneys and other law-based careers. He co-founded Deaner, Scann, Malan & Larsen, a firm in Las Vegas, specializing in real estate law.
Deaner‘s life consists of a very successful career in law as well providing much service to Gannon, as he served on the steering committee for creation of the Waldron Center Campus Center. Due to his success, in 1985 Gannon named him a “Distinguished Alumnus.”
Deaner enjoys golfing, fishing, baseball, history and railroads, and he has traveled by train around the U.S. and Europe.
Amanda Majersky, a senior liberal arts major, said she is amazed at the generosity of Deaner.
“This donation makes me realize that Gannon has made a huge impact on so many lives by giving them a valuable education,” Majersky said.
“The students in the pre-law program already have so much potential and the future of the program is looking bright.
“I think Deaner will be a known name in the program as well as being inspirational for not only pre-law students, but also throughout the Gannon community.”
Agresti said that she had met Deaner in the past about the program that Gannon offers.
“I talked with him about how I have encouraged the students interested in law school to declare either the four-year legal studies major or to at least take the legal studies certificate along with the four-year degree of their choice,” Agresti said.
“He seemed to like that the legal studies program offers skills that make a student employable before and after their undergraduate education and during their law school experience.
“He was quite intelligent and witty.”
MADELINE BOUCHER
