USD to search for new Law School Dean

Thomas Geu is stepping down as the Dean of the University of South Dakota School of Law.

According to a press release from the university, Geu will return to the Law school faculty after a new dean is named.

Geu said “there’s a lot of work to be done, but we’ve turned the corner.”

“It’s been a good year for USD Law,” Geu said. “We’ve moved up 14 places in the rankings by U.S. News & World Report even as most small schools had lower ranks than last year.”

President James Abbott said a nationwide search is being conducted for a new dean and is grateful for what he has achieved at USD.

“Tom has faced a challenging period of time at the law school, with law enrollments falling nationwide,” Abbott said. “We are grateful for his leadership as we have worked to put the law school on a firm foundation for the future.”

Geu also faced the challenge of working to try and see if the law school could be able to move to Sioux Falls. The panel rejected the move, however, it did want to have additional funding for law programs. The South Dakota Legislature approved $300,000 per year.

Geu also became interim dean in 2011 and was named dean in 2013. He has been with the law school for 29 years.