President's Page, 0314 ALBJ, 75 The Alabama Lawyer 92 (2014)
| Author | Anthony A. Joseph J. |
| Position | Vol. 75 2 Pg. 92 |
Anthony A. Joseph J.
Dean John L. Carroll, Game Changer
Game Changer
In recent years, a new term has been added to our lexicon. The term is "game changer." It is defined as "[a] newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way"1
Dean John L. Carroll will step down as dean of the Cumberland School of Law in July after serving in that capacity for over 13 years. That is noteworthy, as most deans only serve an average of about four years.
Dean Carroll came to the school with a sense of mission; he flourished because of the fruits of that effort, and he helped educate the next generation of lawyers. Simply stated, Dean Carroll assumed his position as a calling, and embraced it because of this passion.
During his illustrious career, he has worn many hats, and borne many labels-lawyer, law professor, judge, mediator, arbitrator, dean, media commentator, triathlete, and friend to many. While he has been successful in each endeavor, his role as dean has been transformative, influential, and yes, game changing.
The true measure of a dean rests with his understanding of the importance of a holistic view of the profession and the law school's role in preparing students to become a contributing part of that profession. Dean Carroll recently noted the correlation when he stated:
"The prevailing philosophy is simple: practical skills outweigh raw knowledge, and application transcends erudition. If the goal were to produce great law students, the tenets might be exactly the opposite. Our goal is to produce exceptional lawyers."2
That intent to impart knowledge, to provide practical skills, and develop exceptional practitioners has driven Dean Carroll in guiding and educating law students for over a decade.
Vision
One of Dean Carroll's inspirational quotes is derived from the Book of Proverbs:3
When there is no vision, the people perish.
Dean Carroll arrived at Cumberland with a vision for how to train the next generation of lawyers. He wanted to ensure that the law school environment reflected not only a solid educational foundation, but that it would also serve as a vehicle for creating principled lawyers. And he has succeeded in doing that. When students leave Cumberland, they have witnessed and experienced his commitment to the school, to them, to the...
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