Following a distinguished tenure of service to legal
academia, LeRoy Pernell, dean of the FAMU College of Law since 2008, has
announced his plans to return to the faculty full time in fall 2015.
Pernell, the longest serving dean of the re-established FAMU
College of Law, is credited with providing the stability that led to the law
school acquiring full accreditation from the American Bar Association in 2009
and full accreditation reaffirmation in 2014.
“I have been privileged to be involved with the expansion of
the faculty, the adoption and support of programs designed to successfully
improve bar passage performance, and the growth in attracting and matriculating
well-qualified students capable of professional success while contributing to
making a transformative difference in the communities in which we serve,”
Pernell said in a letter to the law school community on Monday morning. “I
could not be more proud to be associated with the hard work and sacrifices that
have made us what we are.”
FAMU Provost Marcella David expressed her gratitude to Pernell for his tireless efforts to advance the law school’s academic programs and practical skills through ground-breaking opportunities in international human rights, environmental justice, legal advocacy, and community service.
“Under Dean Pernell’s leadership, the FAMU College of Law
has truly become the law school of choice for individuals desiring to make a
difference in their communities and the world,” David said. “We look forward to
continuing the mission of serving the needs of traditionally underserved people
and communities while developing legal professionals committed to equitable
justice and the rule of law.”
The university plans to conduct a national search for a
permanent dean. No interim dean has been named at this time.
Pernell came to FAMU after serving 10 years as dean and
professor of law at Northern Illinois University. He also served as vice
provost of the office of minority affairs and professor of law at Ohio State
University.