My, how we've grown! One of the very founders of the RG wrote to let us know that, while he was surfing the Internet, he stumbled upon our beautiful website (theresgestae.com if you haven't yet checked it out). His pride for the publication is evident 60 years later, and we thank him for having the gumption and tenacity to pave the way for the one and only Res Gestae, which is clearly just as dear to our hearts today.
According to the bare-bones 1950 edition, the Res Gestae got its initial footing in 1895, but it apparently didn't have the staying power to make a material impression on the school. Fortunately, the paper was revived in 1950 by two students who were determined to create "an effective organ to voice the ideas and the hopes of the students of one of man's oldest and most honored professions: THE LAW."
With a clear goal in mind, the editors of the RG in its very germination stage pledged to speak frankly in every issue, and they ardently hoped that the law school student body would respond by engaging with and contributing to the paper. The editors also promised to publish material that struck a balance somewhere between being "sophomorish" and "sophisticated."
The founding editors, Dick McManus and Chet Byrns, evidently did something right. Sixty years later we definitely are still "kicking," and we continuously seek to keep their vision alive through our devotion to you, the students, who give us our backbone, purpose, and zeal. We resound the original message of the editors: "In every sense, this is your paper. The future, yes, even the fate, of Res Gestae rests with you."
So thank you. Thank you, students, for tuning in to the RG with each issue. And thank you, Mr. McManus, for reaching out to remind us why we do what we do.
The email:
I recently ran into Res Gestae on the Web & was somewhat surprised to learn it is still alive & kicking.
You may be interested to know that it was founded by Chet Byrns & I.
It was designed to give law students a voice in the administration of the Law School & provide general School news.
Alan Smith (later Law School Dean & University President) was our faculty advisor. The first issue was published in 1950 [sic] as a one-page edition from a one-room cubby hole on the 2rd floor of Hutchins Hall using a hectograph duplicator. The first run was 200 copies.
Chet later became a judge in Benton Harbor & died a few years ago. I was a general counsel at Bank of America & am long since retired.
It appears you have brought Res Gestae into the Electronic Age & I wish you every continued success.
Dick McManus
Below, we present the first page of the first issue of the Res Gestae, published Sept. 25, 1950.
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