BLACK LAW STUDENTS ALLIANCE

Invitation to the Alden J. "Butch" Carpenter Scholarship Banquet, 2008

Dear Alumni, Friends, Current & Prospective Students,

The Black Law Students' Alliance (BLSA) cordially invites you to join us as we celebrate the 30th Annual Alden J. "Butch" Carpenter Memorial Scholarship Banquet. The Banquet will be held on Saturday April 5th, 2008, at the Four Point Sheraton Ann Arbor, located at 3200 Boardwalk. The reception will start at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

Alden J. "Butch" Carpenter was an outstanding student-leader, scholar, and intercollegiate athlete at the University of Michigan. In 1977, he matriculated at Michigan Law School where he displayed a desire to use his professional skills for the benefit of the urban community in which he was born and raised. The University community was stunned and deeply aggrieved by the untimely death of Butch Carpenter on February 2, 1978. On February 21, 1978, BLSA voted unanimously to honor his memory by establishing the Alden J. "Butch" Carpenter Memorial Scholarship Fund. Each year the fund awards scholarships to three outstanding first-year law BLSA member law students who have demonstrated commitment to community development. Last year the Fund awarded a total of $35,000 in scholarships to three deserving students.

We hope you will decide to join us in this celebration. BLSA thanks you for your help in advancing this worthy cause.BLSA thanks you for your continued support.

Sincerely yours,

2008 Butch Carpenter Committee
Chairperson, Ian Labitue

The History of the Alden J. "Butch" Carpenter Memorial Scholarship

Alden J. "Butch" Carpenter was an outstanding student-leader, scholar, and intercollegiate athlete at the University of Michigan. In 1977 he matriculated at Michigan Law School where he displayed a desire to use his professional skills for the benefit of the urban community in which he was born and raised. The University community was stunned and deeply aggrieved by the untimely death of Butch Carpenter on February 2, 1978.

On February 21, 1978, the Black Law Student’s Alliance (BLSA) voted unanimously to honor the memory of his generous and enthusiastic spirit by establishing the Alden J. "Butch" Carpenter Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Fund’s purpose is to promote the attributes exemplified by Butch Carpenter and to motivate law students toward the level of social commitment which he demonstrated. Each year, BLSA sponsors a dinner to raise money for the Fund and to reflect upon the principles which Butch Carpenter personified. As part of the banquet, the Scholarship Fund awards three scholarships to a first year law BLSA member who demonstrates commitment to community development. Last year, the Fund awarded $35,000 in Scholarships to three deserving students.

Since its inception in 1982, this annual banquet has been a much-anticipated event within the Law School community. We have been honored to have the Honorable Dennis W. Archer, John Payton, the late Johnnie Cochran, and Harold Ford, Jr. serve as keynote speaker for the event. This year we welcome Dr. Vivian L. Carpenter who will serve as our keynote speaker. As the Butch Carpenter Memorial Scholarship Fund Banquet celebrates an astounding 30 years of steadily increasing commitment to Butch Carpenter's vision, we gratefully acknowledge the support of BLSA members current and past, the Law School, numerous law firms, alumni and friends! Your involvement allows the Butch Carpenter Memorial Scholarship Fund to grow, ensuring the success of this event each year.

If you would like information on how you can attend the Butch Carpenter Banquet this year and/or participate as a sponsor to the Scholarship fund, please contact Ian Labitue at butchcarpenter2008@umich.edu by March 21, 2008. If you are a student who is attending Michigan Law School's Prospective Student Weekend,please note that in your email and special accommodations will be made for you regarding transportation to the event as well as your ticket. Space is limited so please respond early

Thank you for taking this opportunity to express your commitment to the University of Michigan Law School community and the Black Law Student's Alliance!

Directions To The Butch Carpenter Banquet

Location:
Four Points Sheraton Ann Arbor
3200 Boardwalk
Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Phone: 734-996-0600

Directions:

From Detroit / Detroit Metro Airport:
I-94 West to Exit 177 (State Street). Turn right off exit onto State Street. Turn right again onto the first street, Victors Way. Go one block to Boardwalk, turn left and go one half block - the Four Points by Sheraton Ann Arbor is on the left.

From Chicago:
I-94 East to Exit 177 (State Street). Turn left onto northbound State Street and go to the first street on the right past the freeway, Victors Way. Go one block to Boardwalk and turn left. The Four Points by Sheraton Ann Arbor is one half block ahead on the left.

From Southfield/Livonia:
From interchange of I-96 and I-275, go West on M-14 toward Ann Arbor. Take US-23 southbound (exits on left) and follow US-23 to I-94. Go West on I-94 (toward Chicago) to Exit 177 (State Street). Turn right off exit onto State Street. Turn right again onto the first street, Victors Way. Go one block to Boardwalk, turn left and go one half block - the Four Points by Sheraton Ann Arbor is on the left.

From Toledo:
Take US-23 northbound to I-94. Go West on I-94 (toward Chicago) to Exit 177 (State Street). Turn right off exit onto State Street. Turn right again onto the first street, Victors Way. Go one block to Boardwalk, turn left and go one half block - the Four Points by Sheraton Ann Arbor is on the left.

To contact the Butch Carpenter Committee, click here.