Dean Rodney A. Smolla, the driving force behind Washington & Lee's innovative 3L curriular reform which is scheduled to begin in the 2010-2011 academic year, is one of three finalists for the presidency of Furman University.  Here is the email sent yesterday by Dean Smolla to the W&L community:

Dear Members of the Law School Community:

Yesterday evening Furman University announced that I am among three finalists for the position of President of Furman.  Later this week I will be on the Furman campus participating in campus-wide interviews.  I was flattered to be invited to apply for this position.  I have often been approached about leaving Washington and Lee, and until this invitation was extended, had always declined.  The opportunity to lead a university such as Furman, which has values of engaged learning very much like the values for which I have been an advocate here, was so rare and unique that I decided to become a candidate.  There are three strong finalists, and my chances are simply 1 in 3.  Even so, I know that it can be discouraging or disheartening to learn that your Dean has entertained the possibility of leaving.  I can simply say that I am honored to serve as Dean, have great affection for Washington and Lee, and believe very strongly in its future, including its leadership as a beacon for the very best in legal education, whatever turns my own career may take.  I hope that students will concentrate on the challenges of preparing for exams in the coming weeks, and wish everyone in the Law School community the best as we bear down at the end of this semester and approach the holidays.

Sincerely,

Rod Smolla