Law School Dean Selected as Next UE President
Christopher Pietruszkiewicz
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe University of Evansville has named Christopher Pietruszkiewicz (pictured) its 24th president. The Stetson University College of Law dean will succeed Tom Kazee, who announced last July he would step down in May after eight years at the helm. Pietruszkiewicz’s first day will be July 1. He has been head of the Florida institution’s law school for the last six years, and prior to accepting the UE job, was also a candidate to be the next dean of the University of Iowa College of Law. The Stetson University College of Law is an autonomous part of the university, is located three hours from its main campus and has a $40 million annual budget.
Presidential search committee leader Sally Rideout, who is a UE trustee, said "throughout the process, we were impressed by the pool of candidates interested in serving UE – a group with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Pietruszkiewicz’s comprehensive understanding of the overall institutional operation and his successful leadership of taking Stetson’s independently operating College of Law through a time of great change made him stand out. The committee believes his vision and leadership style are a strong match for the University of Evansville and our entire community."
A formal vote from UE’s Board of Trustees on the Pietruszkiewicz selection will take place March 28. Pietruszkiewicz’s previous roles include adjunct professor at the George Mason University School of Law and member of the Louisiana State University Law Center faculty, where he later served as its chancellor for business and financial affairs.
Pietruszkiewicz said "I am delighted to join the University of Evansville community and look forward to working together with an exceptional faculty and outstanding staff to provide an education of distinction. From an international experience ranked number 1 in the country, to 96 percent of students participating in real-world externship experiences, to 94 percent graduating with meaningful jobs or graduate school awaiting them, I am eager to build on the tremendous success of UE. There is so much more we will do together."
He holds degrees from the University of Scranton, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and Georgetown University Law Center. Pietruszkiewicz’s career outside of academia included time as a trial attorney with the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice and as an attorney/adviser to the United States Department of Education.
You can read more about the selection by clicking here.