MORGANTOWN – The new dean of West Virginia University College of Law is looking forward to expanding programs at the school in the future.
Gregory W. Bowman, who practice international trade law for ten years before choosing to teach at a college level, was named permanent dean of WVU's law school effective May 1.
He has been the interim dean since June, taking over for Joyce McConnell after she was appointed provost by WVU President Gordon Gee.
McConnell said in a press release that the university conducted a national search for its next dean for the law school.
"I’ve worked with Greg for several years and have always known that he is an exceptional legal scholar, teacher and leader," McConnell said. "We conducted a national search for our next dean at the College of Law and Greg just rose naturally to the top of the pool."
Gee called Bowman an international leader in global legal education.
"He is also an award-winning teacher himself," Gee said in a press release. "We are extremely fortunate to have his expertise and enthusiasm as we focus on being a truly international University."
Bowman, who was born in Germany and grew up in West Virginia, said he has a keen awareness that the world is a big place.
"I love West Virginia and I have a passion and understanding of what our place is in the world," Bowman said. "Traveling is a great way to learn what makes West Virginia special."
Bowman said he practiced at Baker & McKenzie for 10 years before he pursued teaching. His first teaching job was in Mississippi, where he stayed for five years, before he was asked to be a visiting professor at WVU.
"Having the opportunity to come back to West Virginia was a phenomenal opportunity," Bowman said. 'The law school has transformed over the last six or seven years."
Bowman said the two previous deans really transformed the law school's programs and expanded the school's footprint.
"We now have nine law clinics and two new master's degree programs," he said.
One of the programs, which involves energy and sustainable development, is the first program of its kind in the nation.
WVU also has the only forensic justice program, Bowman said.
"The law school is a community and we exist to provide the best possible education we can," Bowman said. "We're here to make the world a better place and we are working very hard on that."
Bowman said WVU is also making a big push for international opportunities for students.
"WVU is an excellent school and it has great students and a great, dynamic faculty," Bowman said. "We are already excellent and want to be even better than we already are."
Bowman graduated from WVU in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in economics and international studies.. He then studied abroad, in Denmark, and then in England, and received his master's in economics in the Europeans community in 1992 from University of Exeter.
He then received his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
Bowman also directs several study abroad programs in the college and works with the Jessup International Moot Court.