Top Left: <strong>Cole</strong> accepts a gift from the Court <strong>of</strong> Appeals for the Armed Forces during their visit in September 2005. Right: Dean <strong>Cole</strong> addresses the class <strong>of</strong> 2006 during the law school's commencement exercises. Middle Right: <strong>Cole</strong> draws raffle prizes at the law school's Student Services Fair. His sense <strong>of</strong> humor makes him a favorite with students. Bottom: <strong>Cole</strong> and 2006 School <strong>of</strong> Law commencement speaker Frances Fragos Townsend, President Bush’s homeland security advisor. other schools, and keep it the great place it’s become,” <strong>Cole</strong> says. Third, <strong>Cole</strong> hopes to increase the sense <strong>of</strong> attachment alumni have to the institution. “I mean this not just in a matter <strong>of</strong> financial support, but I would like alumni to have a willingness to participate in alumni events, and in helping students to become integrated into the practice <strong>of</strong> law,” he says. <strong>Cole</strong> confides that being a law pr<strong>of</strong>essor is the best job in the world, sometimes it is a mistake to call it a job. “To work in things you are interested in and to teach classes to students who are for the most part eager to learn what you expose them to... it’s a wonderful way to make a living.” As dean, there are some aspects <strong>of</strong> the job that are administrative and sometimes tedious, but also very rewarding. “A lot <strong>of</strong> it is exciting and fun—a dean makes the case to the outside world about why the faculty and students’ work is deserving <strong>of</strong> their support. You can help people do the things you got into teaching to do in the first place,” <strong>Cole</strong> says. <strong>Cole</strong> enjoys the chance to represent the school and says it is a privilege to be in that kind <strong>of</strong> position. In the almost twenty years that <strong>Cole</strong> has spent at USD’s School <strong>of</strong> Law, he has developed a solid reputation as a hardworking, intelligent and personable pr<strong>of</strong>essor. He leads with enthusiasm and has a knack for working well with others. “I have known [<strong>Cole</strong>] since he joined the faculty and I was involved in his recruitment,” says Larry Alexander, USD pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> law. “He has high academic standards, which he applies both to classroom teaching and to scholarship. He is also good with numbers and statistics, skills that are essential in a modern deanship. He has a quick wit, which I believe will make him successful in dealing 12 ❖ 23:1 / USD LAW ADVOCATE with alumni and students.” Alexander says <strong>Cole</strong> has been around long enough that he knows the strengths and weaknesses <strong>of</strong> the school’s faculty and staff well, and that <strong>Cole</strong> will be “difficult to fool.” Trevin Hartwell, director <strong>of</strong> development and alumni relations, said <strong>Cole</strong> has been well received by the alumni community. “He is a very approachable person and is very likeable,” Hartwell says. “He has a sense <strong>of</strong> humor that comes out when he gives a speech or interacts one on one, which makes him an endearing character.” Tom Fetter, chairman <strong>of</strong> the campaign committee and member <strong>of</strong> the board <strong>of</strong> visitors, has interacted with <strong>Cole</strong> in the campaign to double the size <strong>of</strong> the school’s endowment. “<strong>Kevin</strong> is a very willing campaigner—he is willing to meet with prospects, communicate with them, explain the school’s needs and justifications and is a tremendous asset in this capital campaign,” Fetter says. “He’s well-grounded and is a friendly, witty guy who speaks and relates very well to people. He’s energetic, and I’m absolutely delighted with him.” Colleagues agree that <strong>Cole</strong>’s interpersonal skills really set him apart. “<strong>Kevin</strong> has a good sense <strong>of</strong> humor. He communicates well with people and is candid and honest with them,” explains Jim Krause, chairman <strong>of</strong> the board <strong>of</strong> visitors. “He’s the type <strong>of</strong> guy who is willing to roll up his sleeves and get things done.” <strong>Cole</strong> has an excellent relationship with the students as well. “Dean <strong>Cole</strong> is almost always smiling. When you’re already in an environment that is designed to be stressful, seeing the dean with a smile on his face and an open, calm demeanor truly helps,” says the <strong>University</strong>’s Student Bar Association President Angie Anastasopoulos. “He has an excellent grasp and understanding <strong>of</strong> what the students are going through and what the students need to be successful.”
Thirty-five years later USD law students and the community are still reaping the benefits <strong>of</strong> the USD Legal Clinics. USD Legal Clinics Celebrate Their 35th Anniversary Helping Students and Clients One at a Time By Angie Jensen Storefront <strong>of</strong> USD’s Crisis Clinic in 1973
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