Starr to guide Pep legal minds

Joann Groff
News Editor

Proclaiming the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. Charging the president of the United States with perjury and obstruction of justice. Defending the value of human life in a landmark right-to-die case. He has had many extraordinary jobs during the course of his career, but now Kenneth Starr assumes a new post as the dean of Pepperdine’s School of Law.

After a long career riddled with praise and criticism, Starr said one of his goals as dean will be to encourage students to become professionals with morals.

“We want to produce lawyers who genuinely care, who have the desire to serve,” Starr said. “There is a great need for the caring and compassionate … for those who will engage in serving those who are underserved or at risk.”

Starr assumes his position as dean after a bumpy history with Pepperdine, which started with his first visit in 1991, when he stood in for the Attorney General at an event on campus. It was immediately that he “fell in love with the campus,” Starr said.

After teaching some summer school classes and taking a seat on the Board of Visitors, he began conversations with former president of Pepperdine, David Davenport, about the concept of a School of Public Policy.

Dean Kenneth Starr on: The Clinton investigations “It was a very unpleasant time for the country, for everyone, but it was necessary,” Starr said. “In the United States, the principle has always been that no one is above the law … it wasn’t always possible, and I’m certainly thankful it’s over.” Advice to students “The broader the educational perspective the better,” Starr said. “To have certain skill sets that are useable in the marketplace is important. But I think it is more important during the four-year undergraduate (studies) to focus on who he or she is becoming. The goal of education at its best is development of character, including the eagerness to learn and the willingness to serve. We should be learning and discovering … developing a zest for learning that will hopefully continue for a lifetime. I love to learn!” Hobbies “I am actually a big exercise person,” Starr said. “Everyday I make an effort to do some sort of serious effort. Well, almost everyday. So I guess you could say I love to hike, to go jogging, to walk on the beach – I even like to go to the gym, although it may not look like it.” Clinton’s book, “My Life” “Mr. Clinton glosses over this enduring lesson about the role of the independent counsel, as well as sliding by many of the investigation’s undisputed findings,” Starr wrote in an editorial piece in the Wall Street Journal July 8. “His epic-length reflections sweep aside not only the flinty facts, but the vital importance of history and tradition in our constitutional architecture. That impoverishment in the presentation reinforces the unfortunate sense that only personalities and (alleged) motivations count in modern public life, when in truth, it is the integrity of ideas and principles that have lasting consequences.” Starr said he read only the parts pertaining to himself. “I wrote those things (above) out of sorrow, not anger,” Starr said. Fighting for the Pledge of Allegiance in the Supreme Court earlier this year. “I was honored to serve as counsel … (the case) was in the area of religion and law, something I am very interested in. I have written in the area, and hope to teach on that here (next summer). We felt strongly that we should be able to honor traditions of history while respecting the opinions of non-believers.”

After the school was founded and former dean Ron Phillipps’ retired, Starr was appointed to the School of Law and the School of Public Policy deanship in February 1997. Knee deep in the investigation of President Clinton and Hillary Clinton’s involvement in Whitewater, as well as the sexual harassment allegations against the president, the University waited for more than a year for him to arrive. Finally, a letter dated April 16, Starr confirmed an April 2 phone call to Davenport, in which he withdrew from his dean designate.

“I had eagerly looked forward to spending many happy years at Pepperdine after completing my duties as independent counsel,” Starr wrote in 1998. “The work of that office, however, has expanded considerably, and the end is not yet in sight.”

Faculty and students had very mixed reactions to Starr’s withdrawal. Some expressed regret he would not be coming; others were pleased. Rumors circulated that he may have been pressured to withdraw because of the effect his conservative reputation would have on the University.

“I can’t speak for any other department of the University. I can only speak for myself,” Starr said. “But I had to carry on my responsibilities as independent counsel.”

Starr said his attempts to resign from the office of independent counsel got sticky after learning members of his team would leave if he resigned.

After completing the investigations of the president and teaching at Pepperdine again in the summer of 2002, Starr was invited once again to be a candidate in the deanship search. This time when he was chosen, he fulfilled his duty. Starr’s deanship was effective Aug. 1; he is living in faculty apartments at the Drescher campus and has settled in nicely, he said.

Again his appointment has evoked mixed feedback. Some faculty members are displeased with his efforts in the presidential investigation and are uncomfortable with some of his previous work and the reputation he may give Pepperdine.

“I wish him well,” said Dr. Michael Casey, professor of Communication. “But he is a very controversial figure. He may have some difficulties because of that.”

Others welcome his experience in the field, his intellect and his moral standards.

“Ken Starr’s extraordinary knowledge of the law, his deep love for
Pepperdine and its mission, and his extensive connections with the legal profession make him an impressive leader,” said Dr. Darryl Tippens, Pepperdine Provost. “I think we will soon see that he is the right person at the right time to take our law school to a new level of prominence.”

Starr said he feels very comfortable here at Pepperdine, a good reason for that being because of the religious affiliation. He worships at the University Church, and feels that moral beliefs are truly at the center of the finest law.

“Law at its best is deep-seeded with principles of morality,” Starr said.  “Legal codes are infused with it … human dignity, rights, inclusion of all persons in law. It wasn’t too long ago when persons of color, women, others, couldn’t be a part of the law processes we continue to use in this society. But we’ve advanced, made progress and become more inclusive.”

Starr said he hopes the School of Law can reach out to more of those people who are underrepresented, partly by “having a significant involvement in international human rights and international religious liberties,” he said. “We have a great many young scholars deeply involved in these issues.”

His goals at the law school are simple.

“I want to preserve and build,” said Starr. “There is so much that is great here that needs protecting and preserving … we also want to be increasing the focus on the School of Law as a center of excellence on a global level.”

08-30-2004