In memoriam: Jonathan C.S. Cox.

• Author: Nanda, Ved P.
• Position: Denver Journal of International Law and Policy editor - Obituary

This edition of the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy is dedicated to the memory of Jonathan Christopher Stonington Cox (J.D. 1971, M.A. 1970), our founding Editor-in-Chief, who died suddenly on February 1, 2004. Jonathan made his mark at the College of Law. He was instrumental in strengthening the Denver International Law Society and initiating the drive to establish the Journal; throughout his legal career he continued to provide dynamic leadership to the International Legal Studies Program in many ways. A few years ago, Jon, along with several other former students and now dear friends, established the Ved Nanda Professorship in International Law that, more than being a tribute to me, enshrined our common respect for international law at the University of Denver.

I vividly recall the day when a cocky young man walked into my office questioning several aspects of international law jurisprudence. He wanted to reshape the international system on the use of force, on the role of the state in the international arena, and on issues ranging from the Law of the Sea to Space Law. This young man was Jon Cox, a student in my International Law class during his first year. I had recently left Yale Law School as a great admirer of Professor Myres McDougal's "Law, Science, and Policy" approach to international law, as well as of the contribution of The New Haven School. I repeated to Jon what Professor McDougal had told me a few years earlier, when I questioned him on his approach to international law: "Wait a few more weeks until I brainwash you." It was the beginning of a lasting and durable friendship with Jon.

Jon had entered the law school after making his mark at Stanford--as captain of the soccer team and a hot prospect for being on the U.S. Olympic team. He was intense and yet very personable, and his peers considered him larger than life. Leadership was natural for him. He not only revitalized the International Law Society but made it a premiere participant in the national organization, the Association of Student International Law Societies, as it was called then and International Law Student Association, as it is known today. At the national meeting of ASILS in Washington, during his second year at the College of Law, Jon successfully promoted a classmate who had succeeded him as President of our own International Law Society, Julius Duru from Nigeria, for election as the national president. That was a coup for the University...