SWLAW Blog | Faculty Features

Professor Catherine Carpenter, ’76, and Professor Bridgette de Gyarfas, ’94.

February 9, 2021

Professor Catherine Carpenter ’76 and Professor Bridgette de Gyarfas ’94 Appointed New Co-Directors of Evening Program

As part of Southwestern’s commitment to student-centered learning and support, we proudly introduce our new Part-Time Evening Program Co-Directors, Professor Catherine Carpenter ’76 and Professor Bridgette de Gyarfas ’94.

Professor Carpenter brings to this role both her extensive teaching experience in the Part-Time Evening program and her nationally-recognized expertise in criminal law and curricular development. In addition to bringing our hybrid-online Part-Time Evening program model to life in 2019, she teaches the evening section of Criminal Law for first-year law students.

"Bridgette and I have long been champions of the evening program - only now we get to do it in a more formalized role. We are honored to be the inaugural directors." - Professor Catherine Carpenter '76

Professor de Gyarfas, herself a graduate of Southwestern’s Part-Time Evening Program, now teaches Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills to our first-year Part-Time Evening students. Her own experience in the program helps her support students through example, shared background, and understanding.

Professor Carpenter expressed her excitement and gratitude for the appointment: "Bridgette and I have long been champions of the evening program -only now we get to do it in a more formalized role. We are honored to be the inaugural directors."

In addition, our Part-Time Day students who have family caretaking responsibilities also receive their own faculty advisor, Professor Jennifer Rodriguez-Fee, ’08. Professor Fee’s years of work with these students allows her to provide insight and meaningful guidance on how to balance law school and home life.