Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com

New scholarship at UT Law School

Marvin Blum and his law school classmate Talmage Boston recently established a scholarship at UT Law School, where they forged their friendship more than 35 years ago. Marvin shared the story, first published by the Texas law school, with the TJP:

“Law school classmates and best friends Marvin Blum and Talmage Boston, both Class of 1978, came together to create one of the first Endowment for Excellence Scholarships in Law. This is their story. ‘Not only did we get a great education, but we made incredible friendships that have stayed with us our entire lives.’ That’s how Talmage Boston ’78 starts a conversation about his time at Texas law. ‘Friendships were forged amidst the daily adventures in and out of Townes Hall.’
“Boston, a successful commercial trial and appellate litigator at Winstead in Dallas, was always passionate about his law school years, but after graduation he wasn’t always a consistent donor. Then he got a chance to know Dean Ward Farnsworth.
“‘We found ourselves together at a UT football game.’ There, the two of them discussed not only a shared love of sports, but also the big challenge facing the law school in the new era of higher tuition and reduced support from the legislature: the lack of scholarship funds to compete with peer institutions. ‘The need was clear: outstanding students were going elsewhere.’ Boston began to turn the challenge — and the opportunity — over in his mind. That’s where Marvin Blum came in.
“‘My years at law school were years of relationships and memorable moments. The Class of ‘78 had a magical chemistry,’ recalls Blum, founder of The Blum Firm. the largest estate planning firm in Texas. A big part of that chemistry for Blum was his friendship with Boston. ‘At law school, a lot of what you learn is outside the classroom. Our business is a people business. The value of emotional intelligence and empathy is what prepares you for success in life. The person I learned most from was Talmage.’
“Boston was confident Blum would be open to his big idea: that they partner for a $100.000 Endowed Scholarship in Law. But the naturally conservative Blum wasn’t initially convinced. ‘My initial gut reaction was actually to say ‘No.’ Boston wasn’t deterred. ‘I said, “This is important for us. This endowment will be a testimony to our abiding friendship, which was cemented in law school.”’
“Blum began to see the opportunity in a new light. ‘After law school, I took a bold step in opening my own firm. In a way, it was Talmage’s boldness that inspired me to believe I could do that. A scholarship to honor our friendship? That was an easy “Yes.”’
“Both men have legacy on their minds. ‘The two things that matter the most are relationships and making memorable moments,’ muses Blum. ‘You can’t buy those with money, really, but you can foster it for other people with your resources.’
“Boston wants to repay his debt to the school by supporting the next generation of students. ‘The economic circumstances couldn’t have been better for all of us when we were in law school, and that was a factor in why we thrived. We had the energy and desire to give it our best every day for three years. The scholarship is an expression of our desire to give back to the institution that has given us so much.’
“Blum sums it up this way: ‘At Texas Law, we planted an acorn and it grew. It’s time now to plant another acorn.’”

Daytimers to watch Chicago

When the Daytimers convene next Wednesday, May 17 at noon, they will be feasting ona Mediterranean style lunch from Mediterranean Market and enjoying the musical film Chicago.
The late Roger Ebert reported that Chicago continued the reinvention of the musical that starts with Moulin Rouge. Although modern audiences don’t like to see stories interrupted by songs, apparently they like songs interrupted by stories.
This movie is a dazzling song-and-dance extravaganza, with just enough words to support the music and allow everyone to catch their breath between songs. You can watch it like you listen to an album, over and over.
The movie stars sweet-faced Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, who kills her lover and convinces her husband to pay for her defense; and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, who broke up her vaudeville sister act by murdering her husband and her sister while they were engaged in a sport not licensed for in-laws. Richard Gere is Billy Flynn, the slick, high-priced attorney who boasts he can beat any rap, for a $5,000 fee.
This story, lightweight but cheerfully lurid, fueled Bob Fosse, John Kander and Fred Ebb’s original stage production of Chicago, which opened in 1975 and has been playing somewhere or other ever after.
Lunch will be catered by Mediterranean Market.
Lunch is $6 and includes a choice of lamb and beef gyro, chicken shawarma sandwich, tabula and hummus sandwich or falafel sandwich. There’s never a charge for the program, but a voluntary nominal contribution to support the continuation of the Daytimers programs is requested.
For reservations call Larry Steckler at 817-927-2736, leave your name, phone number and lunch choice on his voice mail, and he will call you back to confirm.