University of Oklahoma College of Law Dean Andrew M. Coats announced the establishment of the Marian P. Opala Scholar Award, created to honor Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Marian P. Opala who has taught at the OU College of Law since 1969.

The award will be presented annually to a graduating senior.

"We are excited about the award and the honor it will bring to each year's recipient," Coats said.

Opala, who has made numerous contributions to legal education and the legal profession, was appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1978 by then-Gov. David L. Boren. During his legal career Opala has served as a prosecutor, private practitioner, Supreme Court referee, staff lawyer for the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the first administrative director of the courts and judge on the State Industrial Court, now named the Workers' Compensation Court.

From 1991-1992, Opala served as chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2000.

"I am indeed honored to be the namesake for this prestigious award at the College of Law," Opala said.

Each student selected as a winner of the Opala Scholar Award also will receive a cash award from the Justice Marian P. Opala Endowed Scholarship Fund which will be administered by the OU Foundation. The OU Opala Scholar Award Fundraising Committee is conducting a campaign for donations to the fund.

Contributions can be sent to the attention of Assistant Dean David Poarch, OU College of Law, 300 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73019. For more information, call Allen Harris at 603-6244 or e-mail allenharris@cox.net.