A $500,000 gift made by James H. “Buck” Harless and his late wife, June M. Harless, has created two professorships at the WVU College of Law.
The James H. “Buck” and June M. Harless Professorship of Law and the John W. Fisher II Professorship of Law received formal dedication, during a shared ceremony held on April 18, 2000. Both professorships were established in recognition of the importance of the College of Law to the people of the State of West Virginia.
The Fisher Professorship was given in honor of the law school’s current dean. “John Fisher has been an outstanding professor in the College of Law, for a number of years,” notes Buck Harless. “June and I were pleased to see that his distinguished service was recognized by his appointment as dean. Even though June is gone, I know she would want me to say how pleased we both are to be able to honor John, in this manner, and show our undying friendship and loyalty to one who has been so good to both of us.”
The Harlesses are known, throughout the state, as dedicated philanthropists. Buck Harless is a self-made millionaire who has returned a substantial share of his wealth to his community and state. He is a member of the University System of the West Virginia Board of Trustees, and is a former chairman of the WVUFoundation Board of Directors and a former member of the WVU Board of Advisors. Dean John Fisher’s appreciation of the professorships is two-fold. “As dean, I greatly value what this gift will mean to our College of Law, both in the present and in the years to come. Personally, Buck and June have been very dear and special friends, to my wife and to me, and I deeply and sincerely appreciate that these professorships forever will link us with the WVU College of Law.”
The James H. “Buck” and June M. Harless Professorship and the John W. Fisher II Professorship will enable the law school to recognize outstanding teachers and researchers. Each professorship will provide financial support for full-time or visiting faculty scholars, and for their research.
