After serving in his position for seven years, the University of Minnesota Law School’s dean will leave his post at the end of the academic year. 

 

David Wippman, who has led the nationally ranked law program since 2008, was selected Friday as the new president of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.

 

“I have wonderful relationships with many of the faculty, students and staff and alumni,” Wippman said. “I’ll miss those relationships.”

 

Hamilton established a search committee of 18 faculty, students and trustees nine months ago, said Lori Dennison, executive director of Hamilton’s office of the president and secretary to the board of trustees.

 

When the current Hamilton president first announced her resignation, the field of applicants was large, but in the end, the committee voted unanimously to offer Wippman the job, Dennison said.“He has so many really wonderful attributes,” she said. “He has a very keen intellect, which is very appealing to us. … He has a wonderful way about him that is inviting and warm and friendly.”

 

Wippman received his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in 1976 from Princeton, his master’s from Yale in 1978 and graduated Yale’s law school in 1982.

 

Karen Hanson, University of Minnesota senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, said in a statement Friday that she will create a committee to find a new dean

by the time Wippman leaves at the start of June. Wippman said he won’t be on the committee but will help suggest candidates.

 

“I am grateful for all he has accomplished,” Hanson said in her statement. “And grateful, too, that he will continue to lead the school for the remainder of the academic year.”