Farewell message from Dean Nils Olsen

As I complete my term as dean of this extraordinary institution for which we all bear responsibility, it is with a sense of pride in all that we have accomplished together.

That is a vital word – together. For it is only through the power of teamwork and collaboration – the magic of talented people of good will working toward a common goal – that great things happen, in the Law School or anywhere else.Individual leaders can set the tone, but it takes a team to turn a vision into reality.

And so from this soapbox in UB Law Forum, I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the contributions and gifts of so many who have made a difference:

Our extraordinarily gifted and talented faculty, whose scholarship and collegiality is matched only by their focus on effective pedagogy. The support of our University administration; a great Law School can exist only in the context of a great University.

Students and alumni are key.I have learned as much from the best ofmy students as I have been able to share with them.And our alumni, in so many ways, continue to contribute to the Law School in myriad ways that make an enormous difference in the quality of the education we provide.

I am especially pleased that the alumni have so generously supported my deanship. I deeply appreciate the many increased gifts which have been made to this year’s annual fund in my honor.

Our faculty and staff administrators shoulder much of the work of running the school; their talents have advanced our mission in ways large and small.

My family, particularly my wife, Sandy, and our children, have been endlessly supportive throughout my years as dean, and it is to them I owe my greatest debt of thanks.

I am not going away! After a leave of absence at the beginning of 2008, I will return to UB Law and continue to teach the course in civil procedure that I have taught for many years, as well as pursue research in the areas of federal post-conviction remedies and environmental policy.

I have every confidence that the Law School will continue to grow, improve, and carry on its mission under a new generation of leadership.I look forward to being part of that promise, and to all that we will continue to accomplish – together.

Sincerely, Dean Nils Olsen