News Summary
Chattanooga once hosted the Chattanooga College of Law, which graduated a remarkable class in 1931. This class included notable lawyers and trailblazers who broke barriers in the legal field, including women and international students. The legacy of the school is preserved in a yearbook that showcases the achievements of these graduates and their impact on the community. Despite its closure in 1946, the stories of its alumni continue to inspire future generations.
Chattanooga Celebrates the Legacy of its Law School and the Remarkable Class of 1931
Chattanooga may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of prestigious law schools, but it was once home to a notable institution called the Chattanooga College of Law. Although today, many aspiring lawyers flock to bigger names like the University of Tennessee or Vanderbilt, the history of this local law school is something truly special. Most notably, we can’t forget its remarkable graduating class of 1931.
The Legacy of a Bygone Era
Once celebrated as a reputable school for budding legal minds, the Chattanooga College of Law has slowly faded into the background over the decades. Yet, the stories of its students are preserved in an intriguing yearbook from the 1931 graduating class. This yearbook is a treasure trove of memories, showcasing not just the students, but also the school’s progressive mindset for its time. It proudly displays profiles of a diverse group of graduates, including several women and even an international student.
Highlighting Notable Graduates
Among those featured in this yearbook is the late Pat St. Charles Sr., a graduate who went on to have a significant impact on the local legal scene. His grandson, Tony St. Charles, is the proud keeper of the 1931 yearbook, which serves as a poignant reminder of his grandfather’s journey. St. Charles hails from a family of immigrants from Sicily. After moving to Nashville as a teenager, he later settled in Chattanooga in the late 1920s.
Initially running a local business known as Central Discount Co., St. Charles juggled entrepreneurship with his academic pursuits, even serving as the senior class president during his time at law school. His tenacity and ability to balance significant responsibilities were traits he certainly passed down to future generations.
A Class to Remember
The class of 1931 boasted an impressive roster of names. Among them were illustrious figures such as Lyda Gore Rice, Maddox Hale, and Raphael “Ralph” Shumacker, with the latter gaining national recognition for his role as a prosecutor in the famous Malmedy Massacre trial during World War II. The law school also had a prestigious faculty, including the future U.S. Senator Estes Kefauver and future District Attorney Corry Smith.
Breaking Barriers
This class was particularly groundbreaking in its inclusivity. Not only did it feature women who would lead the field of law, such as Lenora Ogilvie Burns, who was acknowledged as the youngest female attorney in the U.S. at the time, but it also celebrated the accomplishments of Nelle Evans Carson, who was the first woman to try a case in Hamilton County. Their stories shed light on the progressive steps that were being taken in a time when such achievements were not as common.
A Peek Into History
The Chattanooga College of Law has roots that extend back to 1898 when it was part of the University of Chattanooga before becoming its own separate entity in 1910. However, it sadly closed its doors in 1946 due to declining enrollment. The school eventually transformed into McKenzie College in the late 1960s. Despite this end, the yearbook titled “The Jurist” serves as an important historical document that encapsulates the essence of the school and its contributions to local law education.
Continuing a Proud Tradition
The graduation ceremony of 1931 was a memorable occasion, featuring Congressman Sam McReynolds as a speaker, touching on themes still relevant today, like the importance of free speech. The legacy of the Chattanooga College of Law continues to live on through its graduates, many of whom have paved the way for future generations in law, real estate, and other professional fields.
If you have any stories, photographs, or additional information about the students or faculty from the Chattanooga College of Law, reach out! We would love to hear from you and uncover more about this fascinating chapter of our city’s history.
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Additional Resources
- Chattanoogan: John Shearer – Chattanooga Law School
- Times Free Press: Good Deed – $2 Million Pledge from Chattanooga Law
- Newsweek: Chattanooga State College Lockdown – Active Shooter Update
- Husch Blackwell: Mikah Roberts
- Times Free Press: Hamilton County Attorney Reinstated
- Wikipedia: Chattanooga College of Law
- Google Search: Chattanooga law school
- Google Scholar: Chattanooga legal history
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law
- Google News: Chattanooga law school
