Michigan Supreme Court unveils Markman portrait

By Maggie Hroncich Editor-in-chief

The Michigan Supreme Court honored Stephen Markman with an official portrait unveiling at the Michigan Hall of Justice on Wednesday.

Markman, who has taught constitutional law at Hillsdale College since 1993, is a retired chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Justice Brian Zahra presided over the event, which was delayed for nearly two years due to COVID.

“On his last day in office, President Reagan presented Justice Markman a handwritten note thanking him for his service to the people of the United States of America,” Zahra said. “Chief Justice Markman greatly influenced our nation’s jurisprudence, and his contribution to the law goes well beyond the state of Michigan.”

Zahra said Markman built a reputation for his thoughtful and piercing questions during his 21 years on the court.

“I personally marvel at the way in which he could distill a highly complex and difficult case down to a handful of poignant questions,” Zahra said in his opening remarks. “Steve was a self-proclaimed devil’s advocate. And I mean no disrespect at all when I state the devil could have no better advocate than Steve Markman.”

Speakers at the event also included Justice Richard H. Bernstein, Judge Richard Fred Suhrheinrich, and former Michigan Gov. John Engler, among others. Six of the seven sitting justices of the Michigan Supreme Court attended the unveiling, with Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack sending regrets for her absence, as she was in Washington, D.C.

Emeritus Professor of Art Sam Knecht, who taught at Hillsdale for 47 years, painted Markman’s portrait.

Knecht, who has been commissioned to do portraits of several other Hillsdale professors in the past, said he first met Markman at Hillsdale’s D.C. campus.

“I met Justice Markman somewhat by chance when I was at the Kirby Center preparing to apply final picture varnish on my big Constitution painting there,” Knecht said. “By 2012 he contacted me as he considered using me to do his official portrait per the tradition of the court.”

According to Knecht, Markman escorted him through the Hall of Justice in Lansing, and they examined dozens of justice portraits. Knecht also did at least three picture taking sessions with Markman prior to painting. Markman told the Collegian he was very pleased

Charger Derby raises $85,000

By Thomas McKenna Collegian Freelancer

The third annual Charger Derby raised approximately $85,000 for scholarships on Saturday, according to its sponsoring group, the Hillsdale College Women Commissioners.

Hosted in the Searle Center, the event included simulated horse racing, an auction, and a cash bar.

Organizers said 100% of the funds will go toward student scholarships.

Attendees were invited to bet on horses in races played on a projector screen for the crowd. Committee Member Louise Worms said members of the crowd can bet on and buy names for the horses.

“People can buy a horse for $25, and if you buy a horse, you get to name it,”

Worms said. “It's very fun to read the names people have chosen for horses. Sometimes they're serious and sometimes they're just for fun.”

The auction included art from Hillsdale alumni, a climb up the Central Hall tower, monogrammed Hillsdale athletic equipment, vacations, and golf outings.

See Derby A2

Knecht was willing to do his portrait after seeing his earlier work.

“I was very enthusiastic about the possibility of

Professor Knecht doing this, and he agreed to it,” Markman said.

See Markman B3