Friday, March 26, 2010
Benham to Texas Tech; Osler to St. Thomas
This isn't the usual Friday.
Yesterday, I accepted an offer to teach at St. Thomas law school in Minneapolis, starting in the fall. While it was a very difficult decision, made more difficult by my affection and respect for my current and former students here in Texas, I think that St. Thomas is the place where I can best pursue what I want to do: teach with passion and meaning, publish meaningful scholarship, pursue social justice in league with my students, and make public how all of this is motivated by and relates to faith.
I realize that many of you haven't heard of St. Thomas. I would urge you to look at their web site, which reveals not only their mission, but their remarkable faculty. While the law school at St. Thomas lacks the revered history that we have at Baylor, it does have a wonderful ambition for the future, and I want to be a part of that.
Some people might speculate that this move is motivated by a desire to be in closer proximity to my family, but that isn't much of a factor-- Minneapolis is some 700 miles from my family in Detroit (I think people get confused about those big, cold states that begin with "M").
Baylor has been a good place for me for many years, and it is indeed hard to know I will be leaving.
At the same time, my good friend, co-author, colleague and former student Dustin Benham has accepted a teaching post at Texas Tech for the coming year. Dustin is a wonderful example of the type of lawyer we produce at Baylor, and he will be a great teacher and scholar at Tech.
Please feel free to comment in the form of haiku (though that is not necessary).
Comments:
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This is totally going to screw up my bracket. Yes, there is a professors bracket. (That hard-ass economics professor from that Rodney Dangerfield movie Back to School is currently the #1 seed)
Also, dibs on your Baylor job. Hear that, Board of Regents? I called dibs. I am legally entitled to the job under the Law of Dibs. Restatement (Second) of Dibs Sec. 623a (2009).
It's funny. St Thomas and Baylor were 2 of the 3 schools that offered me full scholarships (and therefore, 2 of the 3 schools I seriously considered when choosing a lawschool). In the words of Hannibal Lecter, some of our stars are the same, Clarice. :)
Do what you have to do, and be happy. St Thomas is lucky to have you.
Do what you have to do, and be happy. St Thomas is lucky to have you.
Baylor and Waco were fortunate to have you there for so long. You will be missed. Just remember, a visit is just a drive down I-35. A really long drive.
In my comment will address four points. First, Dang it! Second, Congrats! Third, you'd better keep blogging. Forth, thank God I've already taken all your classes, except Oral Advocacy.
I'm pretty sure it was The Byrds who first observed, "To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." To this I say,
Academia,
A nomadic profession.
Now and forever.
I'm pretty sure it was The Byrds who first observed, "To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." To this I say,
Academia,
A nomadic profession.
Now and forever.
A huge loss for Baylor, but best of luck at St. Thomas. I don't know how Baylor will replace you, but I sure hope they try. You will be missed, and it's sad to see you leave. I was just thinking to myself last night (or the night before, who knows, it was a PC mini-trial daze) that I wanted to go to your death penalty talk when I realized - what other BLS professor do we have that is so active in reaching out to the community like you do? Between talks about cocaine and senators, DMN pieces, holding trials of Jesus in a Baptist church in Waco...I don't know if that big of a personality will be replaced for a long time. We'll miss you. Best of luck.
Well, I'm glad I got through all your classes before you left.
I know some 1Ls that'll be upset.
Brennan
I know some 1Ls that'll be upset.
Brennan
# posted by 
: 9:15 AM
: 9:15 AM
Let Dean Jackson know she can be expecting a copy of my resume.
-The Bravest Bear
-The Bravest Bear
# posted by : 9:52 AM
: 9:52 AM
Welcome to UST! I found your blog after Dean Mengler's announcement yesterday (and particularly enjoyed the T-Pain news clip). I look forward to meeting you this fall!
Thank you for everything, Professor. Knowing you has been an inspriration to many of us. Good luck.
-Ed
-Ed
So you become Wacoan of the year and then decide there is nothing left to conquer here. I guess in a few years I'll have to move up there as well so we can make a game of this following each other around the country.
Brennan
Brennan
# posted by : 11:06 AM
: 11:06 AM
Baylor is losing a Yale educated attorney, with practical real-world experience, author, analyst, commentator, Supreme court winner, brief writer extraordinaire, and most importantly one of the best teachers there.
To say I'm happy about that would be a lie. Someone there screwed up if you felt the need to go elsewhere to continue your mission.
I am happy that you are excited and believe you can succeed and be happier in another place, but sad that other students won't get the benefit of your teaching. you've done more to promote Baylor Law's reputation to the general public than any other individual there. It truly is a loss for Baylor and those of us that depend on that diploma.
here's wishing you the best of luck in your new endeavours. We know you will make St. Mary's a better place.
To say I'm happy about that would be a lie. Someone there screwed up if you felt the need to go elsewhere to continue your mission.
I am happy that you are excited and believe you can succeed and be happier in another place, but sad that other students won't get the benefit of your teaching. you've done more to promote Baylor Law's reputation to the general public than any other individual there. It truly is a loss for Baylor and those of us that depend on that diploma.
here's wishing you the best of luck in your new endeavours. We know you will make St. Mary's a better place.
# posted by : 11:36 AM
: 11:36 AM
When we talked last week, it sounded like you were sure to take the job. It's a huge loss to Baylor Law.
But I think I speak for all of your former students when I say congratulations. It sounds like St. Thomas is a better fit for your goals. We're all proud to call you our professor and mentor. We wish you the best of luck and success there.
But I think I speak for all of your former students when I say congratulations. It sounds like St. Thomas is a better fit for your goals. We're all proud to call you our professor and mentor. We wish you the best of luck and success there.
Wow!
Congratulations!
And we thought that someday you might venture to NC (also a very long days drive to Detroit).
Reading the comments it looks like you will have a blog following in Minne-so-ta. They have found you already.
Just think the summer drive to 'the iland' will be that much shorter.
Congratulations!
And we thought that someday you might venture to NC (also a very long days drive to Detroit).
Reading the comments it looks like you will have a blog following in Minne-so-ta. They have found you already.
Just think the summer drive to 'the iland' will be that much shorter.
Wow. I have the same set of mixed emotions that I did when I heard Professor Underwood was leaving for Mercer.
I am upset that our law school is losing such an active, independent, and gifted educator, but I am also thrilled about your opportunity and wish you all the best. Thank you for everything you did for Baylor Law School.
As for the prodigal son Mr. Benham (assuming you see this) - Baylor's loss as well. Congratulations and Wreck'em.
I am upset that our law school is losing such an active, independent, and gifted educator, but I am also thrilled about your opportunity and wish you all the best. Thank you for everything you did for Baylor Law School.
As for the prodigal son Mr. Benham (assuming you see this) - Baylor's loss as well. Congratulations and Wreck'em.
# posted by : 4:00 PM
: 4:00 PM
I never had you as a professor during my time at Baylor (other than the occasional Practice Court exercise), but I agree with Dallas_ADA that you have done more to bring prestige, notoriety, and accolades to Baylor Law than any other professor. I truly believe BLS is more "on the map" (in the national sense) simply through an association with you than through any other actions. BLS is losing something big here.
I congratulate you on your move and know you will enjoy continued success and happiness.
I congratulate you on your move and know you will enjoy continued success and happiness.
# posted by : 4:02 PM
: 4:02 PM
Wow.
You will be missed, for sure, but as much as we want, we can't keep you all to ourselves forever.
I look forward to causing mayhem on Thursdays with some St. Thomas people!
You will be missed, for sure, but as much as we want, we can't keep you all to ourselves forever.
I look forward to causing mayhem on Thursdays with some St. Thomas people!
Welcome to the land where timber wolves eat people's groceries and there is no light, only an eternal, eerie moonlit half-light over the 27 feet of snow perpetually covering the land.
Hyperbole is underrated.
Hyperbole is underrated.
One fewer of us in Texas, Professor, even if you mispronounce your name. I'm glad I finally got to meet you. Good luck. The Cities are a great place to live.
# posted by : 6:19 PM
: 6:19 PM
Wow. Baylor is losing a great man. He is the professor/teacher whom I respect most out of all my former professors/teachers, be it Baylor Law, Texas A&M, or high school. He was one of the only two professors at Baylor Law (when I was there) who tried to inspire us to be better people and not just lawyers.
Professor Osler, I wish you the very best. Thank you for speaking into our lives while you were here. We are better for it.
Professor Osler, I wish you the very best. Thank you for speaking into our lives while you were here. We are better for it.
# posted by : 9:32 PM
: 9:32 PM
Professor Osler,
I grew up in Clinton Township and am currently a 6Q in PC. I was really looking forward to taking classes from you, for scholastic and geographic reasons. That being said, I wish you luck. I don't know if I could go back to being that cold again! St. Thomas is very fortunate to have you.
I grew up in Clinton Township and am currently a 6Q in PC. I was really looking forward to taking classes from you, for scholastic and geographic reasons. That being said, I wish you luck. I don't know if I could go back to being that cold again! St. Thomas is very fortunate to have you.
# posted by : 11:49 PM
: 11:49 PM
We will miss you all more than I can say! Blessings to you in your new adventure.
Mary
Mary
# posted by : 12:25 AM
: 12:25 AM
Well, this did make the paper after all:
[http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Baylor-Law-School-professor-Mark-Osler-leaving-for-St-Thomas-Minn-Law-School.html]
Without doubt, future BLS students are missing out and the institution will have a big gap to fill. But for those of us who were lucky enough to take classes in the Osler CrimPrac Quartet, thank you for making the law so relevant, accessible and reminding us of the humanity behind it all.
Good luck in Minnesota and please, keep blogging. But extra-please, blare "Freebird" from your office on your last day.
[http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Baylor-Law-School-professor-Mark-Osler-leaving-for-St-Thomas-Minn-Law-School.html]
Without doubt, future BLS students are missing out and the institution will have a big gap to fill. But for those of us who were lucky enough to take classes in the Osler CrimPrac Quartet, thank you for making the law so relevant, accessible and reminding us of the humanity behind it all.
Good luck in Minnesota and please, keep blogging. But extra-please, blare "Freebird" from your office on your last day.
I hear Brett Favre is coming out of retirement to teach Crim Prac & Pro in the fall. It should be interesting.
You will be missed in Texas. I'm glad to have met you and to have studied under you. St. Thomas doesn't know how privileged they are. I wish you the best and I hope that our paths cross again soon.
Love,
Matt
Love,
Matt
# posted by : 12:24 PM
: 12:24 PM
Not happy 'bout this.
But know that God's hand moves us,
you...ever forward.
Thank you for all that you have done, I suspect you may never know how much you mean to us, for many alums Baylor Law School means you. And Benham is jumping ship too? Argg. Dallas ADA said it better than me...
But know that God's hand moves us,
you...ever forward.
Thank you for all that you have done, I suspect you may never know how much you mean to us, for many alums Baylor Law School means you. And Benham is jumping ship too? Argg. Dallas ADA said it better than me...
Congrats on the new job. A true loss for Baylor. Plus, I was looking forward to a face to face conversation this fall when I started doctoral work at Truett.
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