DENVER – Douglas G. Scrivner, general counsel and secretary for Accenture, and his wife, Mary, have made a $1 million challenge gift to establish the Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Scrivner earned his juris doctorate degree from the University of Denver in 1977, chairs the law school’s Visiting Committee and co-chaired the Second Century Campaign, which raised money for construction of the law school’s new building, which opened in August 2003.
“This is a way to institutionalize Ved’s impact — something truly reflective of his enormous contributions that will go on for a long time,” says Scrivner, who studied under Nanda as a law student. “There is a significant need for strong writing of essays and monographs around topics that the center could meet, building off Ved’s reputation as a prolific writer, honoring what he’s done and giving others the opportunity to do something similar.”
Nanda, who marks his 40th year as director of the University of Denver’s International and Comparative Law program this year, will be honored at a special reception March 10, 2006. Nanda is the university’s vice provost for internationalization and holds the faculty titles of Evans University Professor and Thompson Marsh Professor of Law.
“Ved Nanda has been a tireless advocate for the study of international law,” says Dean Mary Ricketson. “His teaching and scholarship have inspired a generation of students; his service to the international legal community has earned him worldwide recognition; and his ability to clearly explain complex concepts has immeasurably improved public understanding of international law and policy.”
Nanda is past president of the World Jurist Association and its current honorary president; former honorary vice president and counselor of the American Society of International Law; and a member of the advisory council of the United States Institute of Human Rights. He was formerly the U.S. delegate to the World Federation of the United Nations Associations, Geneva; and vice-chair of its Executive Council. He has served on the board of directors of the United Nations Association of the United States of America, and now sits on its national council. He also serves as an elected member of the American Law Institute and as a council member-at-large for the American Bar Association Section of International Law and Practice.
In February 2004, Nanda was awarded the “Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award for Community Peace Building” from Soka Gakkai International and Morehouse College. In 1990 in Beijing, China, he was presented with the “World Legal Scholar” award by the World Jurist Association. He was the recipient of the United Nations Association Human Rights Award in 1997. Nanda has received honorary doctorates from Soka University in Tokyo, and from Bundelkhand University in Jhansi, India. He is widely published in law journals and national magazines, authoring or co-authoring more than 20 books on international law and more than 150 chapters and major law review articles. He has been a distinguished visiting professor and scholar at numerous universities in the United States and abroad.
For more information on the March 10 event, or to contribute to the center, contact Kirk Baughan, executive director of development at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, (303) 871-6123 or kbaughan@law.du.edu.