South Texas College of Law Houston (STCL Houston) President and Dean Donald J. Guter will step down from Houston’s oldest law school at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 academic year, he recently announced to the board of directors, faculty, staff, and more than 15,000 STCL Houston alumni.
Currently the 18th longest-serving dean of the nation’s 204 American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law schools, Guter will begin enjoying his retirement when his contract expires in May 2019.
“It has been an honor to serve as the president and dean of South Texas College of Law Houston for the past nine years,” said Guter. “We recently completed a routine ABA site visit required of all accredited law schools every seven years, and learned that we are in compliance with all standards and will remain an accredited law school, thereby making this an opportune time to begin the search for the school’s 11th president and dean. With a smooth transition, the new president will have ample time to prepare for our next capital campaign and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the law school.”
Among Guter’s chief accomplishments as South Texas College of Law Houston president and dean:
- Balancing STCL Houston’s budget while cutting the school’s debt in half to $6 million and growing the endowment by 70 percent;
- Increasing minority enrollment from 31 percent to 45 percent, and increasing the school’s national recognition through:
- The National Jurist’s ranking of STCL Houston as a “Best Value Law School” in 2018; and
- PreLaw magazine’s ranking of STCL Houston as one of the nation’s “Most Diverse” law schools in 2018;
- For the first time in the school’s 95-year history, earning a U.S. News & World Report ranking for the full-time program (2012, 2013, and 2014) and the part-time program (2018);
- Restructuring all departments at STCL Houston – particularly the departments of Financial Aid, Career Resources, Marketing/Communications, and Philanthropy – to better serve the needs of the school;
- Renovating and enhancing STCL Houston facilities, including transforming the main entrance into a light-filled, expansive atrium with state-of-the-art security services; and
- Growing STCL Houston’s clinical program from four clinics in a renovated garage space in 2009 to the 19 innovative, specialized clinics of the Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics – housed today in a beautifully renovated floor of the law school. Over the past year, approximately 270 South Texas students contributed more than 35,600 hours of direct client service in these clinics – equating to nearly $1.8 million of pro bono legal representation for Houstonians in need.
“Throughout his decade-long tenure at South Texas College of Law Houston, Dean Guter has been instrumental in advancing a robust strategic plan that has greatly benefited the school, our students, and sets the framework for continued progress in the years to come,” said J. Ken Johnson, chairman of the South Texas College of Law Houston board of directors. “Our law school programs have advanced, our philanthropic efforts have expanded, and STCL Houston’s national recognition has increased under his leadership. Though STCL Houston board leaders sought to renew his contract, Dean Guter has decided to retire. We thank the Dean for his exemplary service and for leaving a legacy which will far outlast his tenure at the law school.”
Guter will serve as a consultant for STCL Houston during the 2019-2020 academic year, helping to ensure a seamless transition for the new president and dean. The administration will launch a nationwide search for the law school’s next leader in earnest this fall.
“I am proud of the many accomplishments and advancements South Texas College of Law Houston has realized under Dean Guter’s leadership,” said Steve Alderman, STCL Houston general counsel and vice president of Human Resources. “From significantly renovated and enhanced facilities to the attraction of top-notch faculty and staff members, the law school will long benefit from his influence. His personal example of integrity and devoted one-on-one interaction with students, faculty, staff, and alumni will be missed upon his retirement.”
Before joining STCL Houston as president and dean in 2009, Guter was dean of Duquesne University School of Law from 2005 to 2008. Prior to becoming a law school dean, Guter served in the U.S. Navy for 32 years, retiring in 2002 as a Rear Admiral, Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC). He moved through the ranks of the JAG Corps serving as trial counsel, legislative counsel, special counsel to the chief of naval operations, and ultimately became the 37th Judge Advocate General of the Navy (2000-2002).
He served as the CEO for the Vinson Hall Corporation and the executive director of the Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation (2002-2005). He serves on the council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
“There is much I will miss when I retire from South Texas,” said Guter. “Chief among these will be the personal connections and interactions I’ve had the privilege of enjoying with all in the STCL Houston community, including students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Those who love, support, and sacrifice for our law school truly are a family – one of the key reasons STCL Houston espouses such a unique, welcoming environment and inspires such loyalty among students and alumni.”
As Guter wrote in his recent email to faculty and staff announcing his retirement, “For me, South Texas College of Law Houston has been – as the Chronicle of Higher Education recognized – ‘A Great College to Work For.’ I could not have asked for a better team of colleagues. Thank you for the privilege.”