Sturm College of Law’s Ricketson Law Building is set to become one of 55 law facilities nationwide to be honored in the upcoming fall issue of PreLaw Magazine. The national legal education review’s October edition will consider factors ranging from aesthetics to square footage per student, according to an article published on PreLaw’s website earlier this month.
For Sturm’s Assistant Director of Communications Chris Wangelin, praise for Ricketson is nothing new.
“Denver Law is proud of the recognition that the Ricketson Law Building continues to receive. As the first Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified law building in the United States, we strive to provide our students with an inspiring and compelling facility for them to pursue their legal education,” Wangelin said, adding that the building was designed to last for 300 years.
“[Ricketson] is a wonderful congregation area,” he explained.
Since it was unveiled in the fall of 2003, the $63 million Frank H. Ricketson, Jr. Law Building has garnered its fair share of attention. In late 2004, Ricketson was certified the nation’s first “green” law school building, an achievement that, for Wangelin, has lost none of its significance today.
“Many elements of the building are contributing factors to the LEED Award,” Wangelin explained, citing features such as the library’s lighting fixtures, which “dim when natural light comes through the windows, saving up to 40 percent on energy costs,” according to the law school’s website.
University Architect Mark Rodgers installed UV-blocking “Low-e” window glass throughout the building, which, combined with heavy masonry, have slashed heating and cooling costs. Water conservation efforts have also been emphasized, with underground water being used for irrigation aimed at reducing reliance on city systems. Waterless urinals and sensor activated faucets have contributed to Ricketson’s low water bills, according to the building’s website.
Stretching 180,000 feet over four stories, Ricketson boasts a bevy of state-of-the-art technological features, including in-class digital document cameras and a fully functional mock trial courtroom, according to the Ricketson website.
“Cameras record every single class for online viewing,” added Wangelin.
When PreLaw ranks its top twenty law schools and grades all 55 of the honored schools in October, Wangelin expects Ricketson’s 11-year track record to allow it to place well. For Wangelin and the rest of Sturm’s faculty and staff, however, rankings will always come second to student experience.
“Students, faculty, and staff in the building genuinely enjoy working here,” he said.
