Posted Thursday, May 26, 10 p.m. Boston University law professor Frederick Lawrence will be the next dean of the GW Law School, assuming his duties August 1, officials announced Thursday.
University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Donald Lehman handpicked the former assistant U.S. Attorney for southern New York and civil rights expert. Lawrence was chosen from a field of 10 applicants to head what U.S. News and World Report ranked the nation's 20th best law school.
"We want someone who would have the earned respect of the faculty, by doing the types of things faculty members hold in right regard," Trachtenberg said. "He came in with a lot of his tickets punched."
The 49-year-old father of two college-aged children has spent the last 17 years at BU, teaching civil rights law and writing a book on hate crimes. He won the university's highest teaching award in 1997.
"I was absolutely elated," said Lawrence, who was on vacation Thursday. "It's an exciting challenge. GW is very much a law school on the rise with excellent student body and distinguished alumni."
Interim Dean Roger Trangsrud has headed the Law School since May 2004, after then-dean Michael Young left after seven years to become president of the University of Utah. GW has been searching for a new head of the school for about a year. It still needs to fill two high-profile academic posts: director of the School of Media and Public Affairs and dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Trangsrud said he is "delighted" about the appointment of Lawrence, but added that the newcomer will have numerous challenges.
"As admissions numbers continue to rise for three straight years, Dean Lawrence will be working hard to ensure the continuing forward trajectory of the student body of the Law School," Trangsrud said.
Another challenge facing the new dean will be to increase the Law School's endowment, or the money gifted to it from individuals and organizations.
University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Donald Lehman handpicked the former assistant U.S. Attorney for southern New York and civil rights expert. Lawrence was chosen from a field of 10 applicants to head what U.S. News and World Report ranked the nation's 20th best law school.
"We want someone who would have the earned respect of the faculty, by doing the types of things faculty members hold in right regard," Trachtenberg said. "He came in with a lot of his tickets punched."
The 49-year-old father of two college-aged children has spent the last 17 years at BU, teaching civil rights law and writing a book on hate crimes. He won the university's highest teaching award in 1997.
"I was absolutely elated," said Lawrence, who was on vacation Thursday. "It's an exciting challenge. GW is very much a law school on the rise with excellent student body and distinguished alumni."
Interim Dean Roger Trangsrud has headed the Law School since May 2004, after then-dean Michael Young left after seven years to become president of the University of Utah. GW has been searching for a new head of the school for about a year. It still needs to fill two high-profile academic posts: director of the School of Media and Public Affairs and dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Trangsrud said he is "delighted" about the appointment of Lawrence, but added that the newcomer will have numerous challenges.
"As admissions numbers continue to rise for three straight years, Dean Lawrence will be working hard to ensure the continuing forward trajectory of the student body of the Law School," Trangsrud said.
Another challenge facing the new dean will be to increase the Law School's endowment, or the money gifted to it from individuals and organizations.
