Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that Professors Monte Mills, Sara Rinfret, and Cathay Y. N. Smith will serve as acting deans of the Alexander Blewett III School of Law beginning October 25, 2021. As the only law school in Montana, the Blewett School of Law serves as the state’s academic legal center and contributes to the development of national, state, and tribal law and legal institutions through teaching, scholarship, and service. The Blewett School of Law provides nationally-ranked programming, serving more than 500 students across programs in law, policy, and public administration.

This team of Acting Deans was formed after extensive discussion among the Blewett School of Law faculty. Professors Mills, Rinfret, and Smith are respected colleagues who are highly regarded in our community. They will help guide the Blewett School of Law over the coming months as a national search for a permanent dean takes place.

I’m grateful to Professors Mills, Rinfret, and Smith for stepping forward at this critical time to ensure the Blewett School of Law will continue to fulfill its mission for students, the legal community, and the state of Montana. I’m confident this leadership team will make progress toward a fresh start and a new era of excellence for the Blewett School of Law.

Sincerely,

Reed Humphrey, Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

This message was sent by the Office of the Provost to UM staff, faculty, and administrators as well as Blewett School of Law students.