Dean Emeritus Doug Blaze, who is also the Art Stolnitz and Elvin E. Overton Distinguished Professor, has agreed to serve as dean of the College of Law on an interim basis beginning July 1.
Blaze has been part of the college’s faculty since 1993, when he joined UT as director of clinical programs. He served as dean from 2008 to 2015 before returning to the faculty. He also serves as director of the college’s Institute for Professional Leadership, which he co-founded.
“I greatly appreciate Dean Blaze’s willingness to serve through this transition,” Provost David Manderscheid said. “At a time of unprecedented circumstances for the university as a whole, I know the College of Law will be in good hands.”
The university launched a national search for a new dean in September after Dean Melanie Wilson announced her decision to return to the faculty this summer. Despite a talented pool of finalists, the search did not yield a good fit for the college and was suspended last month. Plans to resume the search will be announced later this summer.
The College of Law is ranked 30th among public law schools by U.S. News and World Report, and its clinical program is ranked 10th among public universities.