First Monday -June 3, 2013

In this Issue:

• Michael Satz Named to Interim Law Dean Position
• Alumnus Frank Shrontz Receives “Legacy of Leading “ Award

Michael Satz Named to Interim Law Dean Position

Professor Michael Satz (see photo) is moving up from the position of Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs to the position of Interim Dean of the College of Law. His new office became official on June 1. He succeeds Don Burnett, who served as Dean of the College since 2002, and has become the Interim President of the University of Idaho.

Dean Satz received his new appointment from outgoing University Provost Doug Baker and incoming Interim Provost Katherine Aiken. “Michael brings a great depth of experience and a sense of continuity in his new position,” said Dr. Aiken. “His leadership as a professor and administrator will greatly benefit our faculty, students and institution.”

Dean Satz’s duties will include fostering a culture of empowerment, optimism, equity, trust, integrity and respect; strengthening collaborative and participatory processes to develop integrative solutions; enhancing vertical and horizontal communications, advancing the complementary Moscow and Boise programs; and continuing to pursue fundraising efforts.

Dean Satz came to the University of Idaho in 2006 as an associate professor for the College of Law. He has taught courses in consumer law, creditors’ rights and secured transactions, contracts, property security, and critical legal studies, as well as a special team-taught course in architecture and the law. He earned tenure in 2011, and was appointed as the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs for the College of Law in 2012.

Dean Satz received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He later received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Prior to coming to the University of Idaho, Satz worked as corporate counsel for Nissan North American, Inc.

“I am both excited and humbled by the trust the university administration and my faculty colleagues have placed in me to be the steward for the College of Law during this period of transition for the State of Idaho's only public law school,” said Dean Satz. “I am looking forward to working with the college faculty, staff, students, alumni and university administration to maintain the college's high standards and to provide our students with the very best legal education possible. Go Vandals!”

The University will undertake a national search in 2013-14 to identify candidates for consideration as the College’s next long-term dean.

Alumnus Frank Shrontz Receives “Legacy of Leading “ Award

Former CEO and Board Chairman of The Boeing Company, Frank Shrontz (Law ’54) (see photo), has been honored with the University’s “Legacy of leading” Award. The distinctive award, bestowed on only two other individual’s in the University’s history – the late Senator James A. McClure (Law ’50) and Sharon L. Allen, chairperson of Deloitte LLP – recognizes leaders, thinkers, and global citizens.

Frank served as the chairman of Boeing from 1988 to 1997 and as chief executive officer from 1986 to 1996. He also served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for installations and logistics, and as Assistant Secretary of Defense. Today he is part of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club ownership group and is on the team’s Board of Directors. He also has served on the board of directors for Boise Cascade Corporation, ChevronTexaco, 3M, and Citicorp. He is a regent emeritus of The Smithsonian Institution and active in numerous civic and charitable organizations.

Frank, who grew up in Boise, entered the U.S. Army upon graduating from law school. Following his military service, he attended the Harvard Business School where he received an MBA degree in 1958.

In 1986, Frank was inducted into the University of Idaho’s Alumni Hall of Fame; in 1992, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law degree; in 1995 he was given the Business Achievement Award and in 1998 he received the Idaho Award of Legal Merit. In 1996, he was the first recipient of the E. Donnall Thomas Medal from the Northwest Industry Partnership; in 1997, he was honored by the Junior Achievement Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame; in 1997 he was the recipient of the Stanford Arbuckle Award; and in 2004 he was inducted into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame. He was also honored by Seattle University’s School of Business and Economics with an endowed chair in his name, the Frank Shrontz Chair of Professional Ethics.

Frank and his late wife Harriet have been generous supporters of students at the University of Idaho, creating scholarship funds for students in law and in the arts. Frank and Harriet also were among the first alumni of the University to step forward with support for the College of Law’s initiative to deliver legal education in Boise, complementing the Moscow program.