June 16, 1997 Contact Maureen Shine (541) 346-3145 WHAT: The University of Oregon School of Law will celebrate the groundbreaking for its new building, the William W. Knight Law Center. WHEN: 11:30 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 18 WHO: * Dave Frohnmayer, president, University of Oregon * Chuck O'Kelley, dean, UO School of Law * Alec Holser, principal architect, Yost Grube Hall * Tom Stein, project director, Hoffman Construction * Invited guests WHERE: East 15th Avenue and Agate Street BACKGROUND: The new UO Law Center will be named in honor of William W. Knight, a 1932 graduate of the UO School of Law. His son, Philip Knight, committed $25 million to the University of Oregon in 1996, $10 million of which is designated for the law school building project. The 138,000-square-foot facility is targeted for completion in December 1998 and occupancy in January 1999. It will include: * A 46,000-square-foot library capable of housing 250,000 volumes * 565 instruction stations fully configured for access to new technology * 41 offices for faculty and administration * Space for two student law journals, the student bar association and other student groups * A moot courtroom, an information technology center and a skills training center for teaching all forms of legal practice. The new law center is being financed with $10.3 million from the sale of state bonds and $15.3 million from gifts and grants. All but $2.7 million of the private funds are committed and fund raising will continue through construction. When the law school occupies the new center, the existing law building at 1101 Kincaid St. will be renovated into classroom, office and lecture space for the UO College of Arts and Sciences and other departments. Built in 1969, the existing law center recently was renamed Grayson Hall in honor of Jeff and Susan Grayson, UO alumni and supporters who committed $1.5 million to the $5.5 million renovation project. -30- #A-4099/Local, OrLaw