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     Many of you may recognize these as the words of legendary UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden, and a good number of you, familiar with our new Association President Albert Glenn Vasser of Prescott, are probably not surprised that they seemed a fitting introduction.
     Vasser is hardly a novice as a Bar leader; he already has served as President of our sister organization, the Arkansas Bar Foundation.
     "Professionally and personally, Glenn is the most honest human being I've ever known, and sometimes this requires him to take difficult stands because it's the right thing to do," said Vasser's wife, Judy.
     His interest in the law initially was sparked by his admiration of a friend's father, John Hooker, an attorney in Pine Bluff.
     "Hooker was sort of Pine Bluff's one-man lawyer assistance program in the 1960's. He was very generous with his time to help those in need. I admired him for that," Vasser said, himself a Pine Bluff native. "I was never sure if the law was for me, but when I got into undergrad and took some business law classes, I did well and enjoyed it."
     It was during his time at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in the fall of 1968 that he met Judy. "It was love at first sight for me," said Vasser. The two, introduced on a blind date at a Razorback pep rally, were married in the summer of 1969 in Judy's hometown of Lewisville. Vasser was a recent graduate with a degree in accounting, and Judy held a master's degree in speech and theatre.
     In the fall of 1969, Vasser enrolled at the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1972. While in law school, his legal interests not only shifted, but expanded.
     "I thought because of my background in accounting I was supposed to be most interested in tax, corporate and commercial law, but I became passionate about joining a general practice," Vasser said. "I wanted to be exposed to all areas of the law."
     The couple also wanted to move to a small town. "You're certainly accountable as an attorney in a small town," he said. "You sit next to your clients at football games and at church. As a result, practice in a small town brings added pressure, but it's very gratifying to be closely acquainted with the people you've helped throughout the years."
     When Jim McKenzie from Tompkins, McKenzie & McRae in Prescott, a city of about 4,000 in size, came to Fayetteville to interview law students, he and Vasser immediately connected. An invitation to visit the firm soon followed.
     "I was very impressed by the potential apprenticeship in this firm," Vasser said. "Even though the law firm was in a small town, their practice was big city in nature. They had sophisticated clients and practiced in every area of the law."
     It was also an opportunity for the Vassers to return to South Arkansas. Judy, excited to be closer to her mother, initially was hired by Gurdon High School to set up its new art department. Then, after a brief stint in El Paso, Texas, during which time Glenn honored his military obligation as an Army officer, the Vassers returned to Prescott. Glenn continued his law practice, and Judy taught for three years at Prescott High School. Later, she was hired to teach theatre and speech courses at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. Her genuine enthusiasm for her art, which includes directing the song and dance troupe, ENCORE, is just as obvious as her husband's love of the law.
     Their devotion to their daughter, Vicki Vasser-Murray, is equally evident. Currently Vicki is a law student in Fayetteville, where she and her husband, Steve, live. Both are also CPAs.
     (At the risk of editorializing, it must be noted that to separate, or attempt a characterization of Vasser that did not fully include his family would be inaccurate. In this case the two are inextricable, and it is this noteworthy feature that quite obviously influences him as an attorney and community member.)
     He has been an advisor to friends' children, taken hot plates to clients in the county jail, and done significant pro bono work throughout the years for his church, the local school, and the community's needy. Then, like most lawyers who do trial work, he has worried about leaving the Mother's Day or Christmas celebration at home in order to prepare for a trial.
     As he puts it, being a country lawyer in a small firm means, "You are so many things to so many people."
     That firm, McKenzie, McRae, Vasser and Barber, was blended about 60 years ago from two earlier firms, which date back about 100 years. Out of this amalgam emerged four Arkansas Bar Association Presidents—W.V. Tompkins in 1910-11, Governor Thomas C. McRae in 1917-18, James H. McKenzie in 1991-92 and now Vasser, a first-generation lawyer.
     "It was always more than just working next to someone," Vasser said of his early days at the firm. "The four lawyers I joined, Charles H. Tompkins, Horace McKenzie, Duncan L. McRae and James H. McKenzie, were all outstanding lawyers and great mentors. They were always willing to share their time and knowledge with me." Now the firm includes attorneys Barry Barber and Dana Stone, and his respect for both attorneys and the staff is clear.
     "We are like a family, sharing in each other's joys and sadness, while working toward a common goal to provide excellent services to our clients," he said. "I feel a keen sense of responsibility toward the staff here and realize that I can't do my job without them."
     Nor, presumably, could he have pulled off this mountain of achievements without a little help along the way. He has served as a municipal judge, city attorney, deputy prosecutor, and special justice to the Arkansas Supreme Court. He is a fellow of the American College of Mortgage Counsel, a past president of the Nevada County Bar Association and a longstanding member of Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly. He has served as president of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, president of the Prescott School Board and president of the Prescott Kiwanis Club.
     He's long been active in the First United Methodist Church of Prescott, serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees, chairman of the Administrative Council, lay leader, member of the Chancel Choir and as a Sunday school teacher for 25 years.
     He also has been active in the Arkansas Bar Association for many years. He was a member of the Association's Executive Council from 19941996. He also is a tenured member of the House of Delegates, and in 1984 was presented with the Golden Gavel Award for his work as chair of the Legislation Committee. He currently serves on a number of committees, including the Arkansas Bar Commission on Diversity, Committee for Responding to Unfair Criticism of Judges and the Courts, the Joint Planning Group for the Future Bar Center, Professionalism Task Force and the Finance, Law School, Legislation and Judicial Council Liaison Committees.
     As previously mentioned, he also was President of the Arkansas Bar Foundation in 1997-98, and he served the Foundation as chair of the Trust Committee and as a member of its Board of Directors.
     "Being active in the Association was engendered in me from other members of the firm," he said. "I saw it as a way to give back to the profession, and it allows you to meet and develop friendships with lawyers in other areas of the state and in different practice areas."
     As President, Vasser will be heavily involved in oversight of the future bar center's renovation in Little Rock. His earlier experience with the Foundation studying the feasibility of keeping the former Bar Center building has proven and will continue to be particularly helpful on this project. He also believes it's important that the Association complete its study on Professional Liability Insurance Disclosure, form a Joint Task Force with the AOC to study improvements to the jury system, investigate and address the ABA's report on the inadequacy of criminal defense for indigents, and develop awards to recognize lawyers for giving back to their communities.
     "We are the envy of other Bar Associations for our outstanding annual meeting and many other existing programs," he said. "With our wonderful staff, we can continue these activities while exploring new ideas."
     "It's important to be a part of something bigger than yourself," he explained. "Being a member of this great profession and this outstanding Association helps to fulfill that desire."
     "I think that all lawyers who are good at what they do and enjoy it are doing it for the service to their fellow man. This might sound trite and wellworn, but it's true," he said. "You simply can't be fee-driven in this profession. That's not the reward that keeps you ticking, that keeps you going to the office and to Court all the time."
     And it is this sentiment—combined with his ability to take an evenhanded approach to life's challenges and the perceptivity to understand that family extends beyond the nuclear unit—that has allowed Vasser to reach such heights.
     John Wooden certainly nailed it on the head; strength of character goes a very long way.•