Celebrating Nearly Two Decades of Jim Randall’s Hot Dog Day at Western State
For more than 17 years, Western State alumnus James “Jim” Randall (Class of 1980) has been a familiar and welcoming presence on campus. Many students know him as “the hot dog guy,” who generously hosts “Hot Dog Day” every year and reminds them that they are part of a caring community. Through this kind act, Jim embodies the family spirit and the deeply connected alumni network that defines Western State.
From Student to Lawyer: “Western State Gave Me a Chance”
Jim’s path to becoming an attorney was anything but traditional. After serving in the Army and working hard to earn his GED and undergraduate degree, he set his sights on law school. “I knew I wanted to become a lawyer, but nobody wanted me,” he recalls. “Then I heard about this school called Western State. I went down, thinking they would never take me. But they did. Western State gave me a chance.”
That acceptance was a turning point. “I wouldn’t have been able to give my family the life I gave them without Western State. I had a nice career and am still a lawyer after more than 40 years,” Jim says. For him, the school isn’t just an alma mater; it’s a community that nurtured his ambition and supported him through the challenges of building a legal career. Western State opened the door of opportunity, and Jim walked through it.
Hot Dog Day: A Tradition That Brings the Western State Community Together
The popular Hot Dog Day event had humble beginnings. “I began back when Western State was in Fullerton, with a little hibachi grill and some hot dogs,” Jim recalls. What began as a kind gesture of offering a free meal and a friendly chat soon became a beloved tradition. “Next thing you know, they wheeled out this humongous barbecue,” he says, smiling at the memory.
Even with the location changes and using different equipment to heat the hot dogs, the purpose of Hot Dog Day remains the same: bringing students together. “We’ve switched to steaming them,” Jim notes about the hot dogs, “and I thought nobody would want to do it after that, but everybody seems to like it just as much.” What remains the same, then, is how much the students loved Hot Dog Day.
“When students come to me and ask for another hot dog, it reminds me of my days as a law student and why I started Hot Dog Day,” he shares. “Hot Dog Day is my way of giving something back. Being around these students gives me energy. I will keep doing it as long as I can.”
A Family Effort and a Lasting Legacy at Western State
Jim’s family has also been very involved in this long-running show of support. “Family is very important to me,” he says. “They help out with our events, attend mixers, and stay engaged with what’s happening at Western State. Spending time together and being involved with our activities is very, very important to me, and I think the students can feel that.” Jim’s wife, Valerie, frequently helps organize Hot Dog Day, and his sons who are twins, William and Michael, have also joined in when they had time.
His son William even followed in his footsteps and attended Western State, becoming part of the law school’s legacy and continuing the family’s connection to it. “I’m proud of both my sons,” he says. Jim spoke of the day he saw William’s name next to his own at his law firm, sharing “I cried, it was a very moving thing.” Michael instead took an interest in computers and now runs the IT infrastructure at the firm.
Through their involvement, the Randalls show that support for Western State is woven into their lives, underscoring the school’s close-knit, family-like environment.
Supporting Western State Students
In addition to Hot Dog Day, Jim and his wife established a scholarship to further support Western State students. “We had a Book Scholarship for several years, where we donated money and picked a winner,” Jim explains. This initiative had a meaningful impact on recipients. “Some students who won the scholarship graduated and passed the bar on their first try. They sent me lovely notes thanking me for that,” he shares. Through the Book Scholarship, Jim and his wife have directly contributed to the success of Western State students, demonstrating the powerful impact that alumni can have on current and future generations of lawyers.
Inspiring Western State’s Future Lawyers
Jim’s commitment is part of a broader culture of Western State alumni staying involved with the school. “I was involved for a while with the alumni association. I loved the social events,” he says, recalling efforts like helping at holiday toy drives. “Western State is a school that gave so many of us a shot. We should keep giving back,” he says.
Jim hopes that his continued involvement with Western State can inspire the future generation of lawyers. He shares, “I love being a lawyer. There’s nothing like it. If I could pass on my excitement to other people, especially young lawyers and law students, that’s what keeps me motivated.” He encourages those who are passionate about the law to persevere, noting that Western State can help them achieve their goals. “We have very impressive alumni. We’ve turned out a lot of judges, a lot of very prominent attorneys,” he asserts, emphasizing the successful paths available to Western State students.
An Ongoing Story of Family and Community
Jim Randall’s tradition of hosting Hot Dog Day exemplifies what makes Western State special. It’s not just an institution of learning. It’s a second family, a network that nurtures ambition, celebrates success, and pays it forward. As long as Jim and his family are able, they’ll keep this legacy alive, giving back to and inspiring future generations of lawyers to embrace the close-knit community and opportunities that define the spirit of Western State.