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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Every spring semester, a group of WVU Law students face each other in the George C. Baker Cup Moot Court Competition. Their goal: reach the final round argued before the Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and hoist the Baker Cup trophy in victory.

Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Blake Humphrey and Makeia Jonese from competing in the Baker Cup final round. On their way to the final, however, Humphrey won Best Brief and Jonese earned Best Oralist honors. 

And while they were to be rivals in the Baker Cup final, Humphrey and Jonese were also teammates on WVU Law's 2020 National Moot Court Team, which advanced to the regional competition final rounds.  

These were extraordinary circumstance in the history of the Baker Cup, which dates to 1968. Because of their performance as teammates on the national team and their individual success in reaching the final round, Humphrey and Jonese are being recognized as Baker Cup “co-champions” for 2020. They will split the winnings and their names will be engraved on the trophy.  

MORGTANTOWN, W.Va.— West Virginia University alumnus George R. Farmer Jr. was a successful attorney who devoted his career to carrying on the giving tradition of one of West Virginia’s most celebrated benefactors. In doing so, he helped transform his alma mater and the Morgantown community through impactful philanthropic giving that will be remembered long beyond his passing Monday, at the age of 92.

Farmer was a longtime attorney, advisor and friend of Hazel Ruby McQuain, who donated millions of dollars to WVU and other charitable causes in the greater Morgantown area during her lifetime. Following her death in 2002, he continued to build upon her legacy as chairman of the board for the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust and J.W. Ruby Foundation. Largely via the Trust, Farmer provided many generous gifts to support education, healthcare, athletics and more at WVU.

A native of Morgantown, Farmer earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from WVU’s  Eberly College of Arts and Sciences in 1953 and his J.D. from the  College of Law in 1956. He practiced law with the Morgantown firms Farmer & Farmer – founded by his late father – and Jackson Kelly, specializing in litigation, banking, business and corporate law, real estate and estate planning.

“George Farmer has been a dear friend of mine for more than 40 years,” WVU  President E. Gordon Gee said. “I met him when I was the dean of the College of Law, and we became fast friends. He was always a strong advocate of the University, as well as the College of Law, and I respected and admired him immensely. He and his beloved family have continued to support the University with both time and treasure. His vision for our University and the State of West Virginia was always forward thinking and his love for both ran deep. He had a great wisdom about him, and I will deeply miss my friend.”

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - An experienced academic leader and patent law expert has been selected as the next William J. Maier, Jr. Dean of the West Virginia University College of Law.

Amelia Smith Rinehart’s appointment was announced today (January 12) by Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed. 

Rinehart currently serves as associate dean of academic affairs and professor at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Her appointment at WVU Law will begin June 30.

“From her childhood in rural Louisiana to her role as a problem solver and innovator at the University of Utah, Amelia Smith Rinehart has honed the ideal vision to make our College of Law a leader in 21st century legal education and an engine for progress and equity throughout West Virginia,” WVU President Gordon Gee said.