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Contact: Shera L. White                                                                     
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CIAA Mourns Loss of Saint Paul’s College Past President, Law

Hampton, VA-The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association extends its deepest regrets for the passing of Dr. Thomas M. Law, past President

of Saint Paul’s College.  Law served Saint Paul’s College as President for twelve years, until his retirement in 2001 and has also served as leader of Virginia State College; helping Virginia State achieve its university status.  Dr. Law was inducted into the CIAA Officials Hall of Fame in 1994 and was the recipient of various awards and recognition for his work. “Dr. Law was a great man and a staunch supporter of the CIAA and its mission. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends during this tough time,” reflects Commissioner Leon Kerry.

Arrangements for Dr. Thomas M. Law:

Funeral Service: Saint Paul's Memorial Chapel

Friday November 11, 2011, 1:00 - PM at Lawrenceville, VA

Family will receive friends at Brown’s Funeral Home on Thursday, November 10,2011 from 6-8 PM Lawrenceville, VA

Dr. Thomas M. Law, Chester, VA was born on September 23, 1925 in Bristol, Virginia to the late Thomas Keen Law and the late Rebecca Ellen Davis-Law. He was the youngest of four children. Dr. Law died on November 5, 2011 at the John Randolph Medical Center, Hopewell, VA after several months of illness.

He was preceded in death by three siblings, John Law, Ethel White and Lottie Gray. Left to mourn his death is his wife of 57 years, Katherine Iris Tillar Law of Chester, VA and one son Thomas Fenimore Law (Gayle) of Bowie, MD. Two granddaughters, Alyson (DeMarkus) George, and Alana Law of Bowie, MD. Two great-grandsons, Markus and Gavin George of Bowie, MD. Dr. Law is also survived by two sister-in-laws, Goldie Jackson and Margie Starkes of Skippers, VA, one brother- in- law, Melvin Tillar (Jessie) of Skippers, VA and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and dear friends.

Dr. Law earned his Bachelor’s summa cum laude from Saint Paul’s College, his Master’s Degree from New York University, and his PhD from Cornell University. He was also awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees in Human Letters from Saint Paul’s College, Lawrenceville, VA and Cuttington University College, Liberia, respectively.

He retired in 2001 as the President of Saint Paul’s College where he had served as their seventh president since 1989. Before coming to Saint Paul’s College, he served from 1982-1989 in various capacities at State University of New York. Dr. Law was also the President of Virginia State College, Ettrick, VA, and while under his leadership he was instrumental in helping Virginia State achieve their university status. He also served as President at Penn Valley Community College, Kansas City, MO ,Vice President of Academic Affairs at Washington DC Technical Institute, (now the University of the District of Columbia), Director of the Division of Business, Hampton Institute (now Hampton University).

Dr. Law held several memberships and received numerous awards and honors for his work which include Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in the East, CIAA Officials Hall of Fame, United Negro College Fund Fellow and Alpha Phi Alpha Graduate Fellow. He held memberships in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Alpha Kappa Nu Honor Society, Cornell University Council, Southside VA Commission on Business and Education; Advisory Board, Bank of America, Lawrenceville, VA; Board of Directors, Child’s Nursing Home and Living Resources Corporation . He had also served as a gubernatorial appointee to Virginia’s A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership Board of Trustees, The College Fund/UNCF Board of Directors, National Association of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and Chair of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

Dr. Law was a member of the Episcopal Church and attended St. Stephen Episcopal Church, Petersburg, VA until his health declined. He enjoyed education and life. He will truly be missed by all of those who loved and knew him.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made payable to: Saint Paul’s College general scholarship fund or Virginia State University’s General Scholarship Fund.  (Submitted by Brown's Funeral Service)