Dear Friends,
This is a profound time for our nation, the world, and our organization.
On Monday, July 1, 2024, the United States Supreme Court ended its term with a ruling that declares official acts by the president of the United States are immune from criminal prosecution. This ruling—one at odds with the nation’s founders—belies the notion that originalism is at the heart of the Court’s methodology. That case, along with the Roberts’ Court’s dismantling of voting rights, overturning of Roe v. Wade, trampling of affirmative action, evisceration of the Chevron doctrine, truncating of gun control measures, and weaponization of the First Amendment, has reshaped American law, and ushered in a new rule of law.
One day later, we learned that Ron Pipkin, a stalwart leader within LSA, who served for 25 years within our organization before retiring in 2012, passed away. Our hearts are heavy with Ron’s passing. His leadership ushered in a new era for LSA, from the expansion of scholars that found a home within our society, to the issues they wrote about and addressed at our annual convenings. Ron cared about building pipelines and mentoring those who could change the world. He had a vision that LSA could become a leading national and international organization for thought-leaders. To know Ron was to understand why the Pipkin Prize was launched. Ron’s spirit is reflected in each awardee.
Ron’s legacy teaches us that there is much work to be done in the world—to make it more just, kind, and equitable—whether with our courts, legislatures, in civil society, or the academy.
We salute Ron and honor his legacy of service.
My best,
Michele Goodwin