Eleanor Myers officially took over as the new Associate Dean of Students on January 3, 2017. Kaitlin Perry, Associate Director of Student Services, interviewed Dean Myers to learn a little bit about her and what she is looking forward to in her new role.
How long have you been at Temple Law?
I have been at the law school since 1993. I have taught an array of Business law courses but my true calling is Professional Responsibility. I’ve always thought that the ethical choices lawyers make are the deepest and most personal decisions. I want students to understand you can be true to your personal moral and ethical standards and also be a very good lawyer.
Haven’t you retired from teaching?
I did retire, on the understanding that I would continue to direct the fall semester of the Intro to Transactional Skills course to the first-year day division students and teach in the Integrated Transaction Program (ITP) for two years. I teach with Professor Rob Bartow in the ITP program which I helped pioneer along with Professor Nancy Knauer.
So what brought you back to Temple Law full-time?
It took a little convincing to come back into a full-time role, but Dean Mandel is very persuasive. And I’m delighted with any opportunity to work directly with students. Our students are fantastic and I’m really looking forward to meeting more of them and assisting them in their law school careers.
How has the transition been from having been a faculty member to now being part of the administration?
I served in the Temple’s University Counsel’s office for 5 years with Professor Robert Reinstein when he was University Counsel, so I had a taste of academic administration. I have always deeply respected our administrators. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes which students never see. I don’t think most people understand how difficult and unrelenting the job is. Following after Dean Esten makes it a special challenge as she is a deeply talented person with a good heart.
What do you think the biggest challenge is going to be?
Getting all the details right, especially for graduation. The staff in Barrack Hall (they call themselves the Barrackians, but I call them the Barrack’sters) are fabulous. They have made the transition much smoother than I expected and they are not impatient (yet) with all my questions.
What did you do after you graduated from law school?
I did a year-long teaching fellowship at Stanford Law School and then practiced for 5 years in a plaintiff-side securities and antitrust firm. After that, I worked in Temple’s University Counsel office and then went into teaching.
What has been your biggest accomplishment over the years at Temple?
When I was in Counsel’s Office, I worked on several mergers which advanced Temple’s interests in an economical way. That was my first taste of being a transactional lawyer. I really enjoyed the problem-solving and team-work. It naturally followed that at the Law School I helped to develop our experiential programs. Learning by doing is an exceptional way to learn PR and to learn how to be a lawyer. I am very proud to have been in the vanguard of those efforts though ITP and ITS.
You’ve taught all over the world so you obviously love to travel, what is your favorite place you’ve been?
I love teaching the Chinese students and lawyers who are in our program in Beijing, but I have not been back to China for several years. My favorite place is Rome and I’ve been lucky to be able to teach in the summer session there a number of times. It’s a beautiful, walkable city, with delicious food. And the people there like to hug, as I do. My favorite city in the United States is New Orleans.
What was it like representing Temple University as the NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative?
I started in 2006 and my children grew up watching Temple Basketball and traveling with the team to NCAA tournaments. I saw how it made college seem accessible and enjoyable. Sports can transform lives. For many collegiate athletes, their sports talent has provided a gateway to a better life.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to eat, drink coffee, do crossword puzzles, listen to jazz, watch sports, and sing. I participate in the Singing Owls, which is a Temple community choir. It is incredible fun!!
If you could give law students one piece of advice what would that be?
Find your strengths, build on them, and don’t be shy about asking for help.
Some fun questions:
Favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
All ethnic restaurants and Osteria.
Favorite movie?
I don’t watch many movies, but my favorite TV show was 30 Rock.
Favorite sport?
Intercollegiate Basketball. I also attend all the Temple football home games with my son. When he tells people he is going to a football game with his Mom, they say, “You mean your Dad.” And he delights to say: NO, MY MOM.
Favorite quote?
“Sorrow happens, hardship happens, the hell with it, who never knew the price of happiness, will not be happy.”
– Yevgeny Yevtushenko
I also love the serenity prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
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