Community Gathers to Honor Prof. Martinez, Celebrate Scholarship
Whenever UC Hastings has had a need, Professor Leo P. Martinez '78 has been there to step in. Now, colleagues, former students and other alumni have come together to honor the man they say embodies the best of the institution by creating an endowed scholarship in his name.
"There are alumni with the means to help, and they just needed the opportunity,'' said Rebecca Wardell '10, who was among those who filled the Skyroom Nov. 17 to honor Martinez and celebrate the establishment of the scholarship. "He helped develop a culture of giving back. So it's very appropriate that we have a scholarship in his name."
Myriad Roles
It's hard to think of a role that Martinez has not filled during his 25-year career at UC Hastings: Professor, noted scholar, associate academic dean, academic dean, and, most recently, acting chancellor and dean. Simultaneously, he found time to make additional contributions to the College. He currently serves on both the Board of Governors and the UC Hastings Foundation. And the icing on the cake: He's been the faculty softball team's starting pitcher.
"The UC Hastings community is forever indebted to Leo for his contributions as both a scholar and an administrator," said Chancellor and Dean Frank H. Wu. "That his colleagues and former students were so generous in establishing this endowed scholarship in his honor is a testament to the tremendous respect and affection that he inspires."
Martinez has been active not only in academia, but also in public service. His numerous contributions include serving as board chair of Public Advocates, a San Francisco-based public interest law firm, and on the board of the St. Francis Hospital Foundation.
Student Mentor
All the while, he has never stopped mentoring students. For example, even while serving as acting chancellor and dean, he continued to advise the College's La Raza Law Students Association.
"As a Latino professor, he is someone we can look up to and emulate," said Noemí Gallardo, a 2L who attended the scholarship celebration and is co-chair of the association. "Even though he is so busy, he is always willing to support us."
Those who know Martinez comment on his abilities as a leader, his graciousness, his warmhearted sense of humor, his gentle persuasiveness - a skill he used to successfully raise money for the College - and his ability to make those around him feel respected and heard.
Commitment to UC Hastings
Mostly, they talk about his commitment to UC Hastings.
At the celebratory event, Professor Brian E. Gray called the Martinez scholarship "an apt and brilliant idea" that "will continue to attract donors who love and respect Leo."
Gray added that the scholarship "will bestow upon a succession of lucky students the highest honor this institution can give: A scholarship that recognizes the person who most and best embodies UC Hastings - student, alumnus, teacher, scholar, dean, ambassador and all-around wonderful human being.''
Colleagues and Former Students Contribute
To establish the scholarship, the Alumni Center reached out to colleagues and former students, and in just a few short months has raised more than $80,000 and counting.
In talking to those who attended the scholarship celebration, the reason is evident.
"He's always been there for me, and I'm always going to be there for him," David. M. Humiston '79 said of Martinez.
Humiston, a partner and chair of the Asian-American affinity group at Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, flew in from LA for the Nov. 17 event.
He described how Martinez recently filled in literally at the last minute at a diversity symposium Humiston's firm held in San Francisco when a panelist became ill.
"He was the star of the panel," Humiston said.
David Kremer '78 reflected on his law school days with Martinez, describing Martinez as an excellent student, a calming influence for other students and an unflappable leader, foreshadowing his contributions to UC Hastings.
"Lots of people from our class have done very interesting and important things in their careers," said Kremer, a partner with Shartsis Friese. "But nobody's done what Leo has done to help Hastings grow and to enhance the stature of the school."
Tenure as Acting Chancellor and Dean
When Martinez began his tenure as acting chancellor and dean in June 2009, UC Hastings was facing staggering state budget cuts. Under his leadership, the College substantially increased fundraising - critical to financial aid efforts - and avoided layoffs, furloughs and salary reductions.
"Leo led Hastings with magical agility, humanity and compassion," said Professor John L. Diamond.
In his closing remarks at the celebratory event, Martinez expressed these sentiments: "It is with humility, pride and immense gratitude that I thank all of you tonight because you have done what I hoped I could have done more, and that is to defray some of the cost of law school for our students."