Drexel's law school gets a big gift and a name: The school will be named for businessman Earle Mack, who gave $15 million.

Apr 30, 2008 (The Philadelphia Inquirer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- -- Drexel University's law school, which opened in August 2006, is finally getting a name, courtesy of a $15 million donation from philanthropist and former U.S. ambassador Earle Mack.

The Earle Mack School of Law will get its new moniker in a notable-filled ceremony tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. at the school, on Market between 33d and 34th Streets.

Gov. Rendell, former New York Gov. George Pataki, and John R. Drexel IV, a direct descendent of university founder Anthony J. Drexel, will join Mack in toasting the newly named school.

Mack's gift will be matched by $15 million from Drexel and donors. The businessman, arts advocate, and former ambassador to Finland is a 1959 graduate of the university.

His gift is the largest to a Pennsylvania law school and is among the top six gifts given to law schools in the United States, according to the university.

Mack was a senior partner of the Mack Co., a real estate development, investment and management firm, and became a founding board member of Mack-Cali Realty Corp. after a merger with Cali Realty in 1997.

He has served on the boards of Yeshiva University and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he is now chairman emeritus. Mack has also produced films and plays, including the Oscar-nominated The Children of Theatre Street, a 1977 feature documentary on Russia's Vaganova Choreographic Institute, now the Kirov Ballet School, narrated by Princess Grace of Monaco.

Contact staff writer Kathy Boccella at 610-313-2183 or kboccella@phillynews.com

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