DeanWuBlog

Personal Announcement

I write to announce my resignation as Dean of Wayne State University Law School, effective at the end of May 2008.

For family reasons, I must return to Washington, D.C. Many of you know that my wife, Carol Izumi, has health issues which have recently worsened. Carol has resigned her position as Associate Dean at another law school because of these issues. For some time now, we have been considering alternative arrangements in our professional lives.

I have scheduled my departure for the end of the 2007-08 academic year to ensure that I am able to oversee the many initiatives we have underway and to facilitate an effective transition. In particular, I would like to make further progress on the fundraising for the Damon J. Keith Classroom Building & Center for Civil Rights. In addition, as Dean I bear ultimate responsibility for the recent setback we have experienced with our rankings. The faculty and the administration have already developed an action plan to address it, and I intend to implement it expeditiously and effectively. By all objective measurements, this development should be temporary.

I appreciate more than I can express the many individuals with whom I have had the honor of working: talented and dedicated faculty, administrators, librarians, and staff, along with numerous active alumni and students. I look forward to continuing to work with everyone during an important year. Thank you very much.