Kurt Schmoke Named Howard Law Dean

Kurt Schmoke, former mayor of Baltimore, has been named dean of the Howard University School of Law, university president H. Patrick Swygert announced. Schmoke said he plans to introduce programs in health sciences and employment discrimination into the law school curriculum.

"The Howard University School of Law enjoys a great tradition of producing lawyers committed to using the law creatively to seek social justice," Schmoke said. "This is a legacy to celebrate and build on as we make certain that our graduates are fully prepared to respond to the legal issues that will confront them both nationally and internationally."

Schmoke earned his undergraduate degree in history from Yale University and pursued graduate studies as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. He earned the Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School.

Schmoke served 12 years as Baltimore's first black mayor from 1987 to 1999, and was the state's attorney from 1982 to 1987.

"There's a lot of hype surrounding his arrival," said Taeron Smith, a class of 2004 law student. " I hope he can live up to the expectations."

The Law School has gone through several administrative changes in a relatively short time. Schmoke replaces Alice Gresham-Bullock, who resigned in the spring after five years as dean. The interim dean of the law school, Patricia Worthy, is stepping down.

Mellisa McClinton, a law student from the class of 2005, expects a lot from the new dean.

"He is an improvement," McClinton said. "I think he can do more for the school than Dean Worthy has been able to."

Harry Prince Jr., professor of contracts, has high hopes. "Kurt Schmoke is a person with national status that is widely held for his personal ideas. I think the appointment is going to generate a lot of positive attention with in the general public and legal educational circles."

Schmoke will begin his duties as dean of the Law School in January.

Ayana Partee is a student at Howard University who writes for The Hilltop.

University announcement