NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2010

CONTACT: ERIKA MARZORATI
517/432-6848, marzorat@law.msu.edu

MSU Law Community Mourns the Passing of Professor Alvin Storrs

Faculty_Photo

Alvin Storrs

East Lansing, MI — With great sorrow, the Michigan State University College of Law announces the passing of Professor Alvin Leonard Storrs, who died Monday, April 26, 2010, after a lengthy illness.

"This is a terrible loss for the Law College," said Joan Howarth, dean of MSU College of Law. "Al Storrs exemplified the highest values of our law school and our profession. With his passing, we have lost a wonderful teacher, a masterful and inspiring leader, and an exceptional man of principle, vision, and grace."

Professor Storrs had been a highly-respected member of the MSU College of Law faculty since 1987. He was chair of the Taxation Law concentration program and proudly served as faculty advisor to the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). Professor Storrs taught Basic Income Taxation, Corporate Income Taxation, and Deferred and Executive Compensation at the Law College, teaching most recently in the fall 2009 semester.

A trusted and effective faculty leader, Professor Storrs served as chair of the Dean Search Committee in 2007-08 and chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee in 2008-09. In addition to his countless former students, his legacy at the Law College includes the hundreds of low-income clients who have been served by the Law College's Tax Clinic, started with funding obtained by Professor Storrs.

"Al was a beloved professor and an extraordinary person," said Kathleen Payne, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of law. "He will be deeply missed by the many students, colleagues, and alumni whose lives he enriched through his teaching, leadership, and friendship."

Professor Storrs earned a B.A. from Mercy College in 1973; an M.B.A. from University of Detroit in 1981; a J.D. from University of Detroit School of Law in 1982; and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University in 1984. He practiced with the law firm of Hall, Andary, and Bilicki before assuming the role of tax manager at Ernst and Whinney in Detroit. Prior to joining the MSU Law faculty, he spent three years as an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he taught courses in business planning and income taxation.

Professor Storrs is survived by his wife, Regina, and their two children, Alvin and Ashley; his oldest daughters, Verna Nevels and Heather Holloway; his granddaughter, Ashlyn; and his dear mother, Amye Davis. Those who wish to share fond memories or extend condolences to the family may send them to The Family of Professor Alvin Storrs, c/o Michigan State University College of Law, 368 Law College Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1300.

A viewing will be held on Monday, May 3, from 2 to 9 p.m. at Swanson Funeral Home, 14751 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48235. A family hour will be held at Second Baptist Church of Detroit on Tuesday, May 4, from 10 to 11 a.m., with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m. The Second Baptist Church is located at 441 Monroe St., Detroit, MI 48226.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Professor Storrs' name to any of the following:

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