“Rare Degree of Doctor of Canine Jurisprudence”
Watch a video from Rascal Day!
Rascal Day continues to be a day that captures the spirit of the Cumberland Experience and its ability to develop well rounded lawyers.
The essence of Rascal Day represents the Cumberland School of Law state of mind—our law school deans, faculty and staff members are very much approachable, they will support you academically and they go the extra steps to help with your goal of becoming a successful lawyer.
The celebration honors a mongrel pup named Rascal. According to tradition, Rascal faithfully attended classes at the law school’s former campus location in Lebanon, Tennessee, beginning in 1933, until he was presented with the rare degree of doctor of canine jurisprudence in 1937. Legend holds, that his diploma was awarded in recognition of the hundreds of classes and mock trials at which his attendance had been difficult to ignore. When he passed away in 1940, Rascal was buried beneath the window of the classroom where he had spent so much time.
When Cumberland School of Law moved to Birmingham in 1961, Rascal’s tombstone and a few spadefuls of dirt from his grave were brought to Samford's campus and reinterred on the west side of Robinson Hall. Each year, a procession of two- and four-legged creatures passes by Rascal’s grave to commemorate one of the law school's most memorable graduates.
Rascal Day remains a much anticipated event during Law Week at the law school in early March. This event brings together the community, students, faculty, families, and of course dogs
for fun and festivities.
Click to view pictures from 2009 Rascal Day
Helpful Cumberland Navigator: Related Pages
History/Legacy
