January 15 marked my first day as Dean of Pitt Law, and I could not be more excited or honored to step into this role. As I write this, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude, hope, and determination for what lies ahead for our institution.
First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Interim Dean Mary Crossley. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of working alongside her, witnessing her tireless dedication and steady hand in guiding Pitt Law through challenging times. Her leadership brought much-needed stability to our school, and I know we all owe her a debt of gratitude for her service to our community.
I also wish to thank Provost Joe McCarthy and Chancellor Joan Gabel for their confidence in my leadership and support of our shared vision for Pitt Law’s future. It is a tremendous honor to be entrusted with this responsibility, and I am committed to working collaboratively with the Chancellor and Provost to build on our institution's storied legacy.
As I shared during my vision deanship presentation in October, this moment represents not only a new chapter but a transformative opportunity for Pitt Law. Together, we will define the future of our institution, embracing innovation while staying true to our core mission: to prepare our students for lives of purpose and impact in the legal profession.
The Tribune-Review captured it well: this is indeed the culmination of my life’s work, and I am deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and excellence. In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to working closely with each of you to advance bold ideas and strategic goals, because our collective efforts will shape Pitt Law into an even brighter beacon of legal education.
As we embark on this journey, I am reminded of the strength of our community and the extraordinary potential we have to inspire change. I believe in us—our faculty, staff, students, and alumni—and I am confident that we are poised to lead Pitt Law into an era of unprecedented success.
Let’s get to work, and let’s do so with passion, purpose, and the unwavering belief that together, we can achieve greatness.
Thank you for welcoming me as your Dean. I am humbled and ready to serve.
Hail to Pitt!
Sincerely,
Jerry