COD Dedicates Mock Courtroom to 'Sage of DuPage' – Hon. William J. Bauer
More than 150 political, business, legal and educational leaders gathered at College of DuPage on April 26 to dedicate the Honorable William J. Bauer Mock Courtroom in the College's new Homeland Security Education Center.
Click here for photos from this event.
"We consider it a great honor to have Judge Bauer's illustrious career forever connected to College of DuPage," said COD President Dr. Robert L. Breuder. "The fact that Judge Bauer accepted our offer to affiliate his name with our institution speaks volumes to the quality and integrity of the programming offered in this new facility."
Referred to as the "Sage of DuPage" during a presentation by DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin, Judge Bauer has more than 61 years of combined experience practicing, teaching and upholding the law. Known throughout the county and state for his fairness, quick wit and generosity of spirit, Judge Bauer's dedication to education and mentoring makes the naming of the College's mock courtroom a perfect fit, said COD Board Chairman David Carlin.
"Judge Bauer's commitment to education is aptly represented through the HEC's new mock courtroom," Carlin said. "Like the judge's outstanding contributions in all areas of his profession, College of DuPage provides training on all steps of the legal continuum – from first responders to criminal investigators to paralegals and fire technologists, COD is there every step of the way," Carlin said.
(Following the screening of a tribute film created by the COD's Multimedia Services department, Judge Bauer stepped to the podium, thanking his colleagues and the College of DuPage Foundation for the celebration in his honor.
"I had no idea how good I was," Judge Bauer joked. "But seriously, I want to emphasize the importance of the law in the United States. Every advancement for humanity we've made in the United States of America has come about through the discussion of lawyers. In fact, we are the only nation on earth that was actually talked into existence...Law is the foundation of everything we have in this country that is humane and good, and I am incredibly proud to be a part of this profession."
College of DuPage Foundation President Hank Steinbrecher closed the evening with a moving tribute to the judge.
"Near the end of the film Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks's character Captain John Miller turns to his wife and asks, 'Please tell me I've earned it…please tell me I'm a good man,'" Steinbrecher said. "Judge Bauer, you are indeed an exceptional man. And everyone in this room knows you have earned it."
The Hon. William J. Bauer Mock Courtroom is located in the COD Homeland Security Education Center (HEC). The 140-seat auditorium includes a witness stand, judge's chambers, a jury box and reconfigurable seating arrangements for prosecutors and defense attorneys. The 66,000 square-foot HEC, which opened this fall, is a comprehensive, multijurisdictional training center that features a full-scale tactical village for police force-on-force training, a smoke room and full-size ambulance for fire fighter/EMT courses, an outside high tower for rappelling exercises, as well as forensics and cybercrimes laboratories. Approximately 7,600 individuals are expected to receive training through the HEC annually.
Click here for a printed program from the dedication, which includes Judge Bauer's biography as well as a list of firms and individuals whose names are featured on the front wall of the courtroom as Mock Courtroom Charter Donors.
For additional information, please call the College of DuPage Foundation at (630) 942-4476.