Hitting a Home Run with the Dr. Ralph Peeples Law Scholarship

When Wake Forest Law alumni hear the name Ralph Peeples, they think of a dedicated professor, a kind human being, and a man who sure loved baseball. Yes, Ralph Peeples was all of these things, but he was also much more. And what better way to honor his legacy than by creating a scholarship in his name. 

The Dr. Ralph Peeples Law Scholarship was established in memory of Wake Forest Law Professor Emeritus Ralph Peeples, who taught at Wake Forest Law from 1979-2018, specializing in mediation and medical malpractice. “I ran into Ralph in the mid-80s at the Law School, and at the time, I was doing some arbitration. He was also interested in that area, and that’s how we initially connected,” says The Honorable Ralph Walker (’58, JD ’63), who made the lead contribution to the scholarship. “During my time on the Court of Appeals, I would talk to Ralph’s classes about mediation, arbitration, and other types of negotiation. We would get the students involved in role plays, and it was a lot of fun.”

A part of the group of beloved professors known as the “Fab Five” (Miles Foy, Charley Rose, George Walker, and Dean Emeritus Bob Walsh), Professor Peeples’ commitment to teaching was unparalleled. He went above and beyond for his students, while also maintaining his approachability, humility, and humor. 

“For all his jokes, Ralph loved teaching and it was important to him to do it well,” says his widow Dr. Faith Crosby. “He could usually connect with students through baseball or rock-and-roll trivia, or just by being honest. When Ralph was in law school, he had dreams of working in public service. After years at a large law firm, he found teaching—and he felt very lucky to do something he loved. He made it his goal to turn out lawyers who knew the law, but also knew how to think while maintaining a sense of humor.”

“He was a professor who engaged the students before and after class, and did a number of activities involving the students,” Judge Walker says. “He really took the time to be involved with the students.” 

Professor Emeritus Miles Foy agrees: “Ralph was a wonderful guy. He was the kind of person upon which a great law school can really be built. He always put the students first—that attitude influenced everything he did.” 

Even after his passing, Professor Peeples’ legacy remains putting students first.

The Peeples Scholarship will be awarded every year to a deserving student on the basis of financial need—meaning that those who may not otherwise be able to attend law school will have the financial aid to do so. “In his time as associate dean, Ralph had to deal with all kinds of problems students brought to him. These included academic, emotional, and financial,” says Dr. Crosby. “I think he would be pleased that the scholarship will help students deal with some of the financial burdens of law school.” 

“The mission of the Law School is one that can’t be accomplished if students are priced out,” says Professor Foy. “The Peeples Scholarship is not only a way of providing money for the legal education of students who need assistance, but it also helps Wake Forest Law accomplish its mission.”

Thus far, more than $100,000 has been raised for the scholarship, thanks to the generosity of people like Judge Walker, and other colleagues, friends, and even former students. 

One such friend and former student is Jason Benetti (JD ’11). “He took a genuine interest in me and my life,” says Jason, who is currently the primary TV play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Tigers baseball team. “When I came to Wake Forest Law, I made it pretty clear that I was passionate about announcing, and I didn’t want to give it up during law school. Everyone at Wake was so supportive, especially Ralph. Because of the incredible opportunity I had to both study the law and continue in my announcing career, I wanted to help ensure that Wake Forest Law can provide financial assistance to students, who in turn can earn a degree and go on to do whatever they want. With Ralph’s name attached to this scholarship, we’re welcoming students who have a broad and kind view of the world, a varied knowledge base, and a great sense of humor—all qualities that Ralph had and that I hope we can imbue into more and more people.”

Although the students who receive the scholarship will not have the pleasure of meeting Professor Peeples, tales of his brilliance, warmth, and wit will live on. “Perhaps some alumni will pass on his stories, such as the Night of Torts and allowing himself to be dunked in water fully clothed while trash-talking the students,” says Dr. Crosby. 

Or the stories about his support of his current and former students. “He didn’t suffer fools kindly and he had an ironic view of life, but underneath all of that was a deep idealism about the importance of helping young people,” says Professor Foy. “He wasn’t somebody who played up to the students—he was so much more than that. He was somebody who genuinely cared about them.”

Jason recalls how Professor Peeples continued to make time for him, even after he had graduated. “When I was doing Triple A announcing in Charlotte and Durham, Ralph and Professor Wilson Parker would drive down and hang out with me. Then when I moved to Chicago to announce for the White Sox, I’d get an occasional email from him—a short note about something random I’d said during the game. There are people in our lives who matter so much, people who have these different personalities that are just so lovely they stick with you. Ralph was one of those people, and I’d like for others to know his name for as long as possible.” 

When asked to recall memories of her husband’s dedication to his students, Dr. Crosby puts it quite simply: “Once I started, I couldn’t stop.” There are just too many.

Contribute to the Dr. Ralph Peeples Law Scholarship.