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Hiram E. Chodosh, dean of the University of Utah's law school since 2006, will leave in July to become president of Claremont McKenna College in California.
The private school's board of trustees on Thursday selected Chodosh, pulling him away from the U.'s S.J. Quinney College of Law just as the school moves forward with building a new home.
"I have learned so much from each of you, treasure the friendships we've made, and feel so much pride in all we have accomplished together. I will forever be in awe of the College's service-driven students, dedicated staff, and brilliant faculty," Chodosh, a leading scholar in judicial reform, wrote to colleagues and students.
Claremont McKenna (CMC) is a member of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of seven independent institutions in Claremont, near Los Angles. The selective college, established in 1946, is an independent and residential liberal arts college now serving 1,200 students.
Campus leaders said Chodosh was the unanimous choice of trustees because of his "two-fold career" as a scholar with six books to his credit and as an administrator.
"He is not only a brilliant academic and highly respected administrator, but also has the energy and creative spirit that marks a true educational innovator," said trustees chairman Harry McMahon in a statement.
"Hiram understands that a strong liberal arts education is the foundation for producing the next generation of leaders who will make a difference in the world," McMahon said. "His own impressive career exemplifies the unique mission of CMC: combining the liberal arts with real world and public policy experience. We are all looking forward to working with him."
Chodosh, 50, is a graduate of Wesleyan who earned his law degree at Yale. Besides serving the U. as law dean, he also occupies the Hugh B. Brown Presidential Endowed Chair and advises the president on global strategy. During his U. tenure, he helped establish new research centers in biomedical sciences and the law, innovation in legal education, global justice, criminal justice and veterans' studies.
U. President David Pershing praised Chodosh's contributions to the U. law school, which celebrates its centennial next year.
"He led the initiative to create a new and innovative facility for the Quinney College of Law and has been instrumental in the development of the University's new Global Initiative," Pershing said in a statement. "On behalf of the entire U. community, I want to thank him for his leadership and wish him great success in his new role in Southern California." —
What's next
P The University of Utah plans a national search for a new dean for its S.J. Quinney College of Law. Officials hope to have a new dean selected by next summer's centennial celebration.