Dean's Message

There is a “cycle” within the academic community that begins with excitement each academic year. As a community, we are reinvigorated as we joyously welcome new and returning students. The faculty and staff reconvene to focus their talents and energy on providing our students with a rigorous legal education that integrates theory with practice. Working together, our joint goal is to prepare our graduates to successfully enter the public and private practice of law, the non-profit sector and the world of business. The academic cycle becomes complete with graduation.

Our Law School community is comprised of dedicated individuals — students, faculty, staff, and our alumni — and for each individual there also is a “cycle” of life. On Sunday, August 12, Professor Max Kravitz, L’73, a popular and instrumental member of our law school and legal communities for more than 30 years, passed away. Our academic community is deeply saddened by the loss of our teacher, friend and colleague. But even as we grieve and support one another, I am confident that Max would encourage us all to approach the promise of Capital University Law School and the new academic cycle with an increased and recommitted vigor and passion. Max had an incredible passion for life and belief in doing what you do in the very best way. He will be deeply missed.

As a community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, each of us have the responsibility to support one another and to treat each other with kindness and respect. Collectively, we also have a shared responsibility to the institution of which we are a part. Capital University Law school is what it is today because of generations of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have taken responsibility for the school. A legal education at Capital is the beginning of a life-long, committed relationship. There is a life-long “cycle” of learning, appreciation, active participation, and generosity. Loyal alumni become engaged and they give back.

In the months and years ahead, I will be writing and speaking often, and with passion, of the critical need to build a culture of philanthropy within Capital University Law School’s community. We have a shared responsibility to ensure we remain true to our historic mission of access and opportunity, which, in part, means affordability. We must sustain our values, meet our strategic goals, and provide the comprehensive legal education that our students and alumni expect, and our society needs.

There is great momentum at Capital University Law School. We are demanding more of our students; we are demanding more of our faculty and staff; and we must ask much, much more of our alumni. I invite you to be a part of it and join us; get engaged, actively participate; give of your time, talents and treasures.

Thank you,

Jack A. Guttenberg
Dean and Professor of Law