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Don Weidner: Man of Action

Margaret “Peggy” A. Rolando^*

There are many apt descriptions of Don Weidner: Dean Emeritus of the College of Law, professor, scholar, leader, innovator, strategic thinker, friend, mentor, coffee fanatic, natty dresser. Many leaders claim to be transformational but few really are. Don Weidner is.
Don Weidner pushed the Florida State University College of Law out of its cozy niche. Once content to play second fiddle to the University of Florida, the College of Law is now a nationally ranked, highly competitive law school, competing toe to toe with UF and regularly besting rival regional law school power houses.
In an era when the average tenure of a law school dean is less than five years, Weidner’s almost twenty-five years at the helm of the College of Law has given it unprecedented stability, advancement, and connections. Weidner understood that the law school could not excel unless all of its stakeholders—students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and local community—thrived. Weidner demanded excellence from administration, faculty, students, and himself. His high expectations have yielded extraordinary results.
With the assistance of the faculty and administrators, Weidner fostered a welcoming, supportive environment for students. His student-centric approach led to the expansion of course offerings and student organizations. He also hired outstanding administrators like Nancy “Dean B” Benavides, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, who repeatedly removes obstacles to student success. Weidner’s long term emphasis on job placement and close connections with alumni has led to our graduates having one of the highest job placement rates of law schools in Florida. He brought Rosanna Catalano, Associate Dean for Placement, on board to advise and support students and graduates with their job searches, providing assistance with resumes, interviews, and protocol. Their combined efforts have led multiple national media to rank Florida State’s job placement among the nation’s best for law students.
Law student organizations excelled with Weidner’s encouragement and support. He regularly emailed the alumni announcing the latest triumphs of the Moot Court and Mock Trial practice teams as well as the awards bestowed on organizations such as the Black Law Students Association and Student Bar Association.
Weidner is a strategic thinker whose innovations have built on one another, enhanced the reputation of the College of Law, and developed a close knit, cohesive community of FSU law students, faculty, and alumni.

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These innovations include the Board of Visitors, Alumni Magazine, and the Advocacy Center.
The Board of Visitors (BOV), formed in 1994, was the brain child of Weidner and the late Professor Steve Goldstein. Its purpose is to support the College of Law, raise its profile in the legal community, and encourage greater financial and intellectual commitment to the law school by its graduates and other leaders in the bar. The Board consists of approximately forty members (mostly alumni from a cross section of the legal and business sectors) who meet at least annually to interact with students and faculty. The annual BOV meetings have evolved into a wide ranging exchange of ideas among the dean, faculty, and board members for improving the law school.
For example, several years ago BOV members suggested that the law school implement certificate programs so students could demonstrate deeper knowledge in a specialized area. A year later—voila—Weidner announced certificate programs in business, tax law, and environmental law. The Board of Visitors also encouraged Weidner and the environmental faculty to develop an LL.M in Environmental Law to capitalize on the school’s nationally ranked environmental law program. FSU Law now offers two LL.M programs: one in American Law for Foreign Lawyers and another in Environmental Law and Policy.
About twelve years ago, Weidner instituted the first Alumni Magazine. Published twice a year, it’s slick, attractive, and highly readable. Notwithstanding its title, the Alumni Magazine celebrates the achievements of the entire College of Law family. Each issue features not only articles about the alumni, homecoming, class news, and the Dean’s Column, but also pieces about the faculty and their achievements, publications, and activities. It also highlights student activities, awards, and triumphs. We read about developments at the law school, such as the national rankings, bar passage rates, job placement rates, and additional funding from the Legislature. The magazine reminds us of the success of our law school, classmates, fellow alumni, professors, current students, and Weidner’s role in enhancing the value of our law degrees.
The Advocacy Center is yet another example of Weidner’s strategic thinking. The former home of the First District Court of Appeals was renovated and repurposed to house five courtrooms—four with jury boxes—of different sizes and configurations. It gives students the opportunity to hone their trial and appellate advocacy skills in a lifelike setting. As a highly desirable venue for national and regional mock trial and moot court competitions, it showcases the school. The Advocacy Center also includes faculty offices and our renowned Public Interest Law Center, directed by Professor Paolo Annino.
Weidner is masterful at connecting students with alumni through Board of Visitors meetings, guest lectures, adjunct-taught courses, and