School of Law Dean & Talmadge Chair Bo Rutledge

A former law dean, reflecting on their years of service, once aptly asked: “Was it worth it?” It’s a question we often ask ourselves at various junctures in our lives. As I prepare to step down from the deanship at the end of this calendar year after 10 years on the job, my answer is a resounding and unequivocal “Yes.”

Why? The people.

Begin with our students (several of whom are featured herein). Each of them attends our law school with a dream – something that draws them to want to continue their education and join a noble profession. Perhaps it is upward socioeconomic mobility. Perhaps it is to serve their country. They are first-generation college graduates and veterans. They are Georgia residents. They come from around the country. And for three years, those of us who work here at the School of Law are blessed to help them on their journey – whether imparting some bit of knowledge in class or helping prep them for a moot court. Those moments are life-changing, for both teacher and student.

Now consider the staff, the unsung heroes of the School of Law. They perform tasks like helping to prepare letters of recommendation, coaching students before interviews or counseling them through a difficult patch in their lives. Every single one of these people, including folks like Chief of Staff Lara Pulliam and Senior Director of Finance and Administration Blake Waldrop, thinks beyond their job descriptions and goes out of their way to advance the welfare of our students. It has been a true blessing to count these individuals as colleagues in pursuit of a common goal.

The faculty are amazing. They are intellectual leaders in their fields and dedicated pedagogues in their classrooms. This year’s magazine features them to highlight some of their most notable accomplishments and to introduce you to the amazing individuals who join our ranks this fall. But those stories only scratch the surface of the achievements of these individuals who contribute to the national, and indeed international, reputation of this professional intellectual community.

Finally, all of you – the friends and graduates of the School of Law – who have invested in our vision, you have served as mentors, employers and contributors. You have unfailingly answered the call, whether to help create a new scholarship or simply take one of our students under your wing. You have contributed directly to this institution’s success over the past decade, and many of you have become dear friends.

Has it all been peaches and cream? Of course not. As one of my own mentors once observed: “If it were easy, they wouldn’t call it work.” But we do the important work here not because it is easy but, rather, because it is hard – and important.

Looking back on a decade of hard work, we can take pride in our achievements as a community: historically high rankings, nationally recognized employment rates, statewide leadership in bar passage and an unbridled commitment to reducing student indebtedness. Since 2013, we have reduced the aggregate annual indebtedness of our student body by 54%, and currently half of the student body is obtaining its legal education debt free. First-generation college graduates, veterans and Distinguished Law Fellows have been three pillars of this strategy. The fruits of that commitment will be borne in the years and decades ahead as those graduates, freed from the burdens of debt, make significant contributions to state and society.

Serving this community has been the privilege of a lifetime. It would not have been possible without the people. And I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my gratitude to three groups.

The first is the associate deans – Andrea Dennis, Jason Cade, Usha Rodrigues and, before his departure to become law dean at Ohio State, Kent Barnett.  They have been valid counselors and able leaders. The School of Law is in good hands.

The second is our president and fellow alum, Jere Morehead (J.D.’80). His dedication to and work ethic toward this University are without peer. He has been an inspiring leader, an indispensable supporter and a dear friend. He will always have my gratitude and support for being by my side from day one and seeing me through some dark days in the early months on the job.

The third and final group is my family: Birgit, my wife of 25 years, and our four children (Anna, Marie, Nina and Franki). Many of you have met them and welcomed them into your lives. What you may not know is that they too have stood by their husband and father during late nights, long hours and heartbreaking emergencies. I can only hope to make up for the moments when this job took me away from them. Along the way, though, we have made some wonderful memories together, ones that we will carry for a lifetime.