SU College of Law gets largest donation in the school history

Building a new law school just became easier.

Three children of Syracuse University's College of Law alumni Robert Emmet Dineen (class of '24) and Carolyn Bareham Dineen (class of '32) pledged $15 million to SU for a new school in their parents' honor. 

Carolyn Dineen King, Kathryn Dineen Wriston and Robert E. Dineen Jr., who are also attorneys, believe their parents would be "overwhelmed" by the gesture, according to a SU announcement. Robert, who was a Syracuse native, is the former chief executive of Northwestern Mutual Life. Carolyn, one of only a few women accepted into law school at the time, was a prominent local lawyer.

Carolyn Dineen King, Robert E. Dineen Jr., and Kathryn Dineen Wriston.

The donation is the largest in the College of Law's 115-year-old history and is one of the largest ever received by SU. 

Reportedly, the new law building will cost between $85 to $90 million and will be approximately 200,000 square feet on the west side of campus. The donation is a major contribution to the $1 billion campaign SU launched, which included plans for a new law building. 

According to Syracuse.com, SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor praised Robert and Carolyn for their former careers and SU spirit.

"To be a great university you need a great law school, and the new building made possible through this landmark gift will be a fitting testament to the Dineen family legacy," Cantor wrote.