NIU will say goodbye to its dean of the College of Law at the end of June.

Leonard P. Strickman has accepted the position of dean of the School of Law at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

“It is a school of strong reputation and there is a great opportunity for progress,” Strickman said. “It also is the leading law school in Arkansas.”

“I was impressed with the talent and congeniality of the people at the university,” Strickman said.

Don Pederson, vice chancellor of Academic Affairs at University of Arkansas, said he made a formal offer to Strickman on Feb. 1.

“The committee was impressed with his experience, educational background and visible activity in national bar associations,” Pederson said.

“A great deal of progress has been made in the last decade,” said Strickman, who has been the dean since 1981.

Some steps of progress Strickman referred to included the school’s full approval by the American Bar Association, membership in the Association of American Law Schools and growth in state and national reputation.

“We also have built a very talented faculty,” Strickman said. “The quality and diversity in the student body also has increased.”

Strickman said one of his goals at the University of Arkansas is to establish the law school’s membership in the “Order of the Coif.” This is equivalent in legal education to Phi Beta Kappa in general education, he said.

Strickman graduated from Yale Law School in 1966. In 1967, he received his license to practice law in New York.

He has held positions in the American Bar Association, the Association of American Law Schools and the American Law Institute.

Strickman’s position begins on July 1 and he will be appointed with tenure.