Law school’s Stone video wins award

“The Bridgebuilder: Dr. Jesse Nealand Stone, Jr.,” a video tribute to Southern University Law Center’s first graduate, was awarded the Award of Distinction at the 2001 Communicator Awards.
Produced and written by Rachel Emanuel, director of the Law Center’s Publication and electronic media, the video was entered after its debut at the Law Center convocation last year, in remembrance of his death on May 14, 2001.
“Shortly after his death, Dr. Agnihotri wanted to honor him. He was the first graduate of the Law Center. There were so many things he did for the Southern University system,” Emanuel said.
The 24-minute video was selected as a winning piece out of more than 3,400 entries from 47 states and 11 countries. The Award of Distinction is given to projects receiving 80-89 points on a 100-point scale.
Highlights of Stone’s life and career, as well as acknowledgements and interviews from friends and colleagues, such as SU System President, Leon R. Tarver, Louisiana statesman, Jesse Bankston, and Law Center graduate and state senator, Cleo Fields were featured in the video.
The video is not a documentary, only a tribute, although there are future plans to produce one, Emanuel said.
Emanuel, who like Stone is a native of Shreveport, said his contributions and sacrifices are more than noteworthy.
“I knew him as a neighbor and community person, even though he was a civil rights lawyer in Shreveport. Those I interviewed discussed things in Shreveport that I recall (as a child). Everyone looked up to him for his civil rights work and leadership. It was real rewarding to contribute to a video on his life,” Emanuel said.
Dr. Stone served as the president emeritus of the SU System and dean of the Law Center. One of the few African American lawyers in Shreveport practicing civil rights law, he was the first African American appointed associate justice pro tempore to the Louisiana Supreme Court. He was also the associate director of the Louisiana Commission on Human Relations, Rights and Responsibilities.
Copies of “The Bridgebuilder” can be obtained through the Law Center’s Office of Institutional Development. For more information, contact Dr. Berryl Gordon-Thompson, associate vice chancellor for institutional development and human resources, at 771-3811.