For nine years, incoming freshmen at the Cecil C. HumphreysSchool of Law have had a unique opportunity -- the chance to eatbreakfast with the dean of the law school as an introduction to theschool.
Next year, however, they will have to look for someone else tousher them into their new experience.
University of Memphis Law School Dean Donald Polden resignedfrom his position last month.
"I had nine stellar moments of welcoming students at orientationand presenting the face of the law school," Polden said.
Polden said he enjoyed having breakfast with the new studentsbecause it gave him an opportunity to talk with them off the recordabout their law school experiences and expectations.
"I was able to talk with students about why they came here, andI think it has helped in some respects to find out what attractedstudents," Polden said.
This type of student involvement is a testament to Polden'ssentiments about the school, its students and its faculty.
After 10 years of implementing change and growth within the lawschool, Polden will leave Memphis for a position as the dean of lawat Santa Clara University in California, where his father taughtwhen Polden was an adolescent.
Polden said he is grateful for the opportunity to be near hisparents, who still live in California.
"I have never had the opportunity to live near my parents as anadult, so this will give me the chance to be near my family,"Polden said.
Polden said he feels terrific about the law school and thefaculty's achievements over the past 10 years and added that it isa good time for new leadership.
During his tenure, Polden has accomplished nearly every goal heset for the law school. Three years ago, the school receivedmembership in the Association of American Law Schools, paving theway for increased national recognition of the law school here.
"Being admitted to the AALS was a great honor. The facultyworked really hard and it was a terrific moment," Polden said.
Under Polden's guidance, the law school has also seen anincrease in minority students' graduation rates and an increase inoverall law student retention.
The welfare of students has been a priority for Polden duringhis time at The U of M. Last fall, when students complained thattemperatures inside classrooms at the law school were unbearablyhot, Polden sent e-mails to other deans on campus, as well as theUniversity president and the head of the Physical Plant, askingthem if their buildings were as uncomfortable as the law schoolwas.
"I said that if they were as hot as we were, we should all go tothe president and get something done about this," Polden said.
Within a few hours, Polden's e-mail got results as cool airflowed through the law school.
"The students are the reason we are here, and we should providethem with a comfortable learning environment," Polden said.
Polden said this type of student-centered program is the resultof the staff's focus on making sure students have a good learningexperience.
Reactions from faculty and students about the dean's careerchange have been mixed, Polden said, adding that for the most partthey are happy for him because he has the opportunity to be closeto his family.
"His leaving is bittersweet because he is such an asset to thelaw school. He truly has the best interests of the law school atheart, but anyone in his position would do the same thing," saidCharles Dewitt, assistant dean of the law school.
Dewitt said when Polden came to The U of M, the law school was asolid regional school that needed someone to take it to the nextlevel.
"The law school is a much better place now for having him here,and we will still be reaping the benefits for years to come,"Dewitt said.
