Dean Toni M. Massaro – A Tribute

Toni Massaro was named dean of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law ten years ago. That's a long time in the life of a dean, and she's had a good run. Chief Justice Harlan Stone once compared being Chief Justice to being the dean of Columbia Law School-he said that in both positions, your job is to do those things the janitor either can't or won't do. It's not an easy job, but it is one that Dean Massaro has done with aplomb and good humor.

Dean Massaro has had many successes during her tenure. She helped to recruit and retain outstanding faculty members, improved the College's academic reputation, renovated the campus on time and within budget, started the Rehnquist Center, and increased private funding for the College. She has fostered connections between the law school, its alumni, the bench, the practicing bar, the University, and the Tucson community. These ties are important and will live long past her time as dean.

The good news is that Dean Massaro will be staying in Tucson to teach and continue her scholarship. And she is a fabulous teacher-before becoming dean, she received the College of Law's teacher of the year award six times.

Dean Massaro was the first woman to serve as dean of the College of Law, but I am sure will not be the last. As with leadership positions in many professions, each dean of a law school stands on the shoulders of the deans that came before her, and the deans that follow will stand on her shoulders. Dean Massaro has left