Law School appointments reflect two kinds of history
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While Law Professor Regina Austin made history by becoming the first African American to be named to an endowed chair at the Law School, the appointment of Law Associate Dean Michael Fitts was almost expected. “I am a third generation [endowed chair recipient],” explained Fitts, whose father and grandfather were named to endowed chairs in the Medical and Wharton schools, respectively. Fitts, who has lived in West Philadelphia most of his life, called the Robert G. Fuller, Jr. Chair “a great honor,” noting that Fuller, a 1964 Law graduate, is “loyalÉ and actively involved.” Law School Dean Colin Diver, who made the appointments, honored Fitts because of his exceptional skills as a teacher and lawyer — skills the school were “especially interested in recognizing and promoting when [it] established the chair.” Diver called Fitts “one of the leading American law scholars.” “He is an invaluable asset to me as dean,” he added. A Yale Law School graduate, Fitts specializes in separation of powers, the presidency and administrative law. As associate dean, Fitts is currently striving to create “programs to connect with Law and the rest of the [University] community” and making progress facilitating interdisciplinary degrees more feasible. |