Just call him alawyers lawyer.

In his 48 years as a practicing attorney in Morgantown, George Farmer Jr. has carved out a reputation as an able, fair and compassionate steward of justice.

On Friday, Sept. 10, West Virginia Universitys College of Law will immortalize Farmers legal life and times when it officially names its law library in his honor.

The ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m. in the law school foyer, and as Farmer is quick to point out, the day wont be all about him.

No, he said, the day will be just as much about a longtime benefactor to Morgantown and WVU a woman who put her stamp on the community just as Farmer put his in law.

Farmer handled legal affairs for Hazel Ruby McQuain, who literally gave millions of dollars to Morgantown and the University right up to her death two years ago at the age of 93.

One of those giftsthis one private with an undisclosed amountwas to the College of Law in 1988. And that gift is the reason for the Sept. 10 ceremony. One of its stipulations was that the 300,000-volume library be named for Farmer, who earned his law degree from WVU in 1956.

It will be an honor for me,Farmer said,but it also honors Hazel and her contributions and gifts to the community. She was a real friend to me, and to all of us who live here.

Law Dean John Fisher agreed, and said the day will be doubly specialsince he has much respect for both.

As a young attorney, Fisher practiced for a few years in Morgantown with the Farmer and Farmer firm the law librarys new namesake ran with his father.

You couldnt ask for a better mentor,Fisher said.Ive learned so much from him. Hes an absolutely fine lawyer and a very good friend. I can him a �€~lawyers lawyer,and for me, thats the highest compliment I can give to people in our profession.

No one gave higher compliments to the community and University than McQuain, Fisher said, who generously shared her fortune to enrich the quality of life in Morgantown.

She made Ruby Memorial Hospital a reality,Fisher said.Can you imagine Morgantown without that hospital now? Can you imagine what Evansdale and the Health Sciences campus would be like without it?

Its the same way with downtown Morgantown and its burgeoning Wharf District, he said.

The Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park with its distinctive amphitheater is a marquee fixture of the districtan area that got its high-profile boost, Fisher said, largely because of McQuains gifts.

Morgantown in recent years has receivedbest small citiesrankings in the national press and Fisher said he knows why. (more)

Its Hazel,he said.She put a real signature on the community. Shes the reason Morgantown is Morgantown. George was a big part of that, and now we get to honor him, too.