Jerry Anderson: Reflections on time as Dean

The Drake Law nation is thrilled with the successful conclusion of our dean search. Our new dean, Roscoe Jones, Jr. begins his term on July 1, fitting our brand perfectly in that he comes from a rich practice background, including two judicial clerkships, a decade on Capitol Hill, and leadership at a national law firm. He brings remarkable vision, energy, and an engaging personality to this work.

We attracted a new dean of this caliber because he and the other candidates found Drake to be a very special place. A place fueled by strong alumni support—not only in financials, but in service as mentors, adjuncts, team coaches, and many other ways. This support and engagement translate into a fulfilling learning experience, which leads to happy and successful alumni: a “virtuous cycle” that we thank you for!

As my time as dean draws to a close, I am grateful for this experience. After serving on the faculty since 1991, my commitment to Drake runs deep, so it’s been a true honor to represent this institution. Being a faculty member can be a solitary job; you plan and teach your classes and engage in scholarship largely alone. In contrast, a dean really can’t do anything without the help of others, including alumni, staff, faculty, or central administration. I have greatly enjoyed working as part of our outstanding team to advance the Law School.

I am proud of many things we’ve accomplished together. For example, the average debt burden of our law graduates is now 25% lower than it was eight years ago, despite increasing costs. We achieved this because our faculty and staff make an effort to be good stewards of our resources, and our alumni generously contribute to scholarship funding. We are now ranked #9 in the country among private schools for the value our degree provides as indicated by the success of our graduates measured against their investment.

After meeting so many of our alumni, I’ve been able to see more clearly the power of a Drake Law degree. We have graduates doing amazing things across the country in an incredible range of positions—from the highest levels of government in Washington, D.C. to helping farmers with estate plans in Washington, Iowa. All of them trace their success back to Drake. As dean, you cannot help but be filled with pride at having helped launch so many on their paths.

Law school deans don’t last long on average. When I leave the post after 8 years, my tenure will rank in the top 30 of law deans nationwide. The issues seem to get more complex every year, from free speech controversies to the Next Generation Bar Exam to the impact of Artificial Intelligence on legal practice and legal education.

But at Drake, the challenges seem less daunting with our supportive community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. During the pandemic we had to turn on a dime to begin teaching and learning online. I could not have been prouder of the attitude of everyone involved in navigating that challenge with grace and positivity. Three years later, the group of 1Ls who started their studies online had an incredible first-time pass rate of 95% on the Iowa Bar exam. This is truly a testament to the grit and adaptability of everyone involved.

Thank you to everyone for being part of Team Drake. I am excited to return to the faculty and continue to pull my oar to propel us forward.