School of Law Professor Tom Bost described by students and colleagues as a caring accessible and experienced teacher has been chosen to lead the School of Law in the coming year as interim dean during the search for Dean Kenneth Starr’s permanent replacement.
President Andrew K. Benton who made the decision said he holds Dean Bost currently associate dean of academics in a high regard both professionally and personally.
“Tom was a perfect choice Benton said. In a very short time he’s distinguished himself as a scholar and as a teacher and one who believes in a very bright future for the law school.”Benton also said: “I consider him a mentor. I admire not just Professor Bost but his whole family deeply and profoundly.”
Bost will pick up the reigns on June 1 the same day Starr assumes his role as president of Baylor University in Waco Texas.
Bost established himself early on as an outstanding academic. He graduated first in his class from Vanderbilt University Law School in 1967 and was immediately hired to teach the following year.
Bost said he enjoyed the experience but he had always wanted to practice law. He found a job as an associate at Latham & Watkins LLP in Los Angeles in 1968 and was promoted to partner in 1975 a position he held until 1999. During that time Bost gained professional experience and served as chair of the Board of Regents for Pepperdine.
Bost established himself as a very successful tax and corporate attorney Benton said.
“Not only can he teach it Benton said, he can do it.”
After over 30 years in the professional world Bost returned to teaching in 2000— here at Pepperdine.
“I am really blessed that there was an opening at this law school Bost said. I’ve been more fulfilled teaching than from anything else I’ve done in life.”
During his tenure as a professor Bost has become known as someone who clearly takes an interest in students’ lives remains accessible to them and whose experience in the professional realm has benefitted those in his classes.
“Instantly he was helpful third-year law student Chase Anderson said. He takes a great interest in students’ lives. He always takes time out of his day to talk with students about anything they want to talk about whether it be school or personal lives.”
Law student Stephanie Smith agreed noting a particular practice of “get-to-know” meetings with students where she got the opportunity to chat with Bost her new teacher with no expectations to talk specifically about course topics.
Bost hopes that he can remain accessible to students but understands that with new duties on his plate his time with students may be limited.
“I know that as interim dean I will have many more demands on my time than I do now Bost said. It’s a shame and it’s something that I will miss. But it’s something that may be necessitated by the nature of the job.”
Bost has identified three areas of focus during the next year: to continue the search for strong faculty members to maintain the spiritual focus of the University and to keep up with fundraising.
“Dean Starr has established a really strong record of fundraising in the law school. He’s shown incredible leadership in that regard Bost said, and he noted the perpetual nature of fundraising. You have to run hard to stay even. It’s a never-ending process. We can’t rest on past successes.”
Bost has expressed no interest in becoming the permanent dean of the School of Law so although not on the official selection committee it keeps him an objective advisor for the selection of a new dean Benton said.
Benton expects to install a permanent dean by the summer of 2011.
Bost said he’d like to see someone who demonstrates a commitment to Pepperdine’s mission high academic qualifications strong character and ability to work with diverse personalities.
He remains optimistic for the future of the School of Law and for the new dean.
“I expect many qualified candidates Bost said. I believe this place is a very attractive place to work.”
