University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Lawyer Doug Kristensen to Retire

Attorney Doug Kristensen, the longest serving Chancellor at the University of Nebraska, is set to retire at the end of the academic year after serving 22 years. Following a one-year leave, he plans to return to the University to work on strategic projects. Kristensen is also the longest currently-serving leader of any Nebraska institutions of higher education.

Appointed in 2002, Kristensen had previously service in the Nebraska State Legislature (Senate) where he was, at the time, the longest serving speaker in the history of the Legislature. While serving in the Legislature, he also practiced law at Lieske & Kristensen in Minden, Nebraska.

Kristensen earned his law degree from Drake University School of Law.

Jennifer Mnookin, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison - Lauded in Legal Ethics Roundup

In this week's Legal Ethics Roundup by Professor Renee Knake Jefferson, Doherty Chair in Legal Ethics & Professor of Law at the University of Houston Law Center, Professor Jefferson gives a shout out to former UCLA law dean and now Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Jennifer Mnookin, for her message to the University community titled, Choosing Humility, Not Hate to help the campus through challenging times. Professor Jefferson teaches, among other things, a course in leadership. Active in higher education leadership, Professor Jefferson is also a trustee of Michigan State University.

Chancellor Mnookin had a successful 8-year tenure at UCLA prior to joining UW. Prior to joining UCLA she taught at the University of Virginia School of Law and at Harvard Law School. She received her J.D. from Yale Law School, and a Ph.D. in History and Social Study of Science and Technology from M.I.T.

Bluefield State University President Robin Capehart to Retire

Attorney Robert Capehart was appointed President of Bluefield State University (West Virginia) in 2019 after serving as interim president for more than seven months. He served as president of West Liberty University from 2007 to 2015, and he also served as chair of the VA Council of Presidents. After leaving West Liberty University and prior to joining Bluefield State, Capehart formed a higher education consulting firm, Georgetown Solutions, L.L.C. Capehart also served in government as state Secretary of Tax and Revenue under then Governor Cecil Underwood, and as counsel to the West Virginia Senate Committee on Finance.

Capehart announced he plans to retire at the end of the calendar year. Capehart, newly married, noted that he wanted to spend more time with his wife who had accepted an opportunity out of state. By some accounts, Capehart has had a challenging tenure with the faculty at a majority white HBCU.

A graduate of West Virginia University School of Law (J.D.) and Georgetown University Law Center (LLM in Taxation), Capehart was an adjunct professor at West Virginia Northern Community College and an associate professor and director of tax studies at Marhsall University.

He has also dabbled in the entertainment industry.