In 1972, Hiram H. Lesar, then dean of the law school at Washington University in St. Louis, was hired to be the first dean for SIU School of Law. Among his first duties was the task of building a law school. The present building was planned in the mid-1970s and completed and occupied in the summer of 1981. Between 1973 and 1981 the school was housed in two remodeled buildings in the University’s “Small Group Housing” area at the southwest corner of the campus, just south of the current building.


On two separate occasions, Lesar served as Interim President of Southern Illinois University. He continued to teach on a regular basis after his retirement as Dean of the School of Law. Hiram H. Lesar was a Distinguished Service Professor and, in 1991, he received the Distinguished Service Award which is the highest honor given by SIU to an employee still active in university affairs. Hiram H. Lesar remained actively committed to the enrichment of the School of Law until his death in 1997. In 1999, Dean Lesar was posthumously awarded the Founders Medal by the School of Law for his leadership, integrity, and the vital role he played in establishing the Southern Illinois University School of Law.


Building architects: Fischer-Stein Associates, Carbondale, IL; Fields, Goldman, Magee, Mt. Vernon, IL; Anselevisius-Rupe Associates, St. Louis

Total Square Footage: 97,699