{"id":17445,"date":"2025-03-27T10:08:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T14:08:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=17445"},"modified":"2025-11-03T12:12:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T17:12:31","slug":"wilmington-university-names-judge-jan-r-jurden-as-dean-of-its-school-of-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2025\/03\/27\/wilmington-university-names-judge-jan-r-jurden-as-dean-of-its-school-of-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilmington University Names Judge Jan R. Jurden as Dean of its School of Law"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column17445_fa28b2-f1 dynamic-main-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>Wilmington University is pleased to announce the appointment of the Honorable<strong> Jan R. Jurden<\/strong> as dean of the <a href=\"https:\/\/law.wilmu.edu\/\">Wilmington University School of Law<\/a>, effective April 1, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Judge Jurden brings an outstanding record of service to the role, having spent more than two decades on the bench. Appointed to the Superior Court in 2001, she was elevated to President Judge in 2015\u2014the first woman in Delaware history to hold that position. She retired from the Delaware Superior Court earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJudge Jurden\u2019s career reflects a genuine commitment to fairness, ethical leadership, and improving access to justice,\u201d says Wilmington University President <strong>Dr. LaVerne Harmon<\/strong>. \u201cShe brings wisdom and heart to everything she does, making her an ideal match for Wilmington University\u2019s mission and values. Her leadership will inspire our students and faculty as we continue to build a program that serves the legal profession and our broader community with purpose and compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Judge Jurden\u2019s judicial work included overseeing major criminal and civil cases and establishing specialized courts to meet the needs of underserved populations, including veterans and individuals with mental health challenges. She also played a vital role in managing court operations during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before her judicial service, Judge Jurden practiced law for over a decade and became a partner at a prominent Delaware firm. A U.S. Army veteran, she served with distinction before pursuing a legal career. She holds a Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson Law and a bachelor\u2019s degree in Political Science from Muhlenberg College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide wu-blockquote-row is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cJudge Jurden\u2019s career reflects a genuine commitment to fairness, ethical leadership, and improving access to justice.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Dr. LaVerne Harmon<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A respected leader in Delaware\u2019s legal community, Judge Jurden has been honored with numerous distinctions, including the Delaware State Bar Association\u2019s Honorable Aida Waserstein Award and its Outstanding Service to the Courts and Bar Award. She has also been inducted into the Delaware Women\u2019s Hall of Fame. In addition to her judicial service, Judge Jurden has contributed to legal education by teaching at several universities, including Wilmington University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Judge Jurden\u2019s appointment signals an exciting new chapter for the Wilmington University School of Law. She succeeds Dean <strong>Phil Closius<\/strong>, the law school\u2019s first dean, who stepped away to spend more time with family after a distinguished legal practice, teaching, and academic leadership career. Dean Closius was instrumental in establishing the foundation for the law school and helping to secure provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association, which was awarded in February 2025, allowing its students to sit for the Bar exam, gain admission to the Bar, and pursue careers requiring an ABA-accredited degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI am excited and honored to join the Wilmington University School of Law team and look forward to building on the groundwork laid under the leadership of Dean Closius,\u201d says Judge Jurden. \u201cI embrace the opportunity to be a part of an innovative, accessible, and inclusive law school whose mission is to provide an excellent, relevant, student-centric legal education. I am eager to get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:0em;padding-right:0em;padding-bottom:0em;padding-left:0em;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad{border-top:1px solid #eeeeee;border-right:1px solid #eeeeee;border-bottom:1px solid #eeeeee;}}.wu-text-col,.wu-img-col {\tmin-height: 114px;}.wu-text-col &gt; div,.wu-img-col &gt; div {\tflex: 1;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id17445_c22f40-ad alignnone FULL wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette9, #ffffff);}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}.kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 figure.image-is-svg {-webkit-margin-after: 1em;  margin-block-end: 1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column17445_2be022-c1 kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image17445_aa80a0-a7:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image17445_aa80a0-a7.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image17445_aa80a0-a7 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image17445_aa80a0-a7 size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"408\" height=\"125\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/WU-LogoL_Email.png\" alt=\"Wilmington University logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-5518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/WU-LogoL_Email.png 408w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/WU-LogoL_Email-250x77.png 250w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/WU-LogoL_Email-300x92.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery{align-self:stretch;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap &gt; .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b &gt; div {  padding-block: 1em;}.kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b p:last-of-type {  -webkit-margin-after: 0;  margin-block-end: 0;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column17445_ea83cb-4b kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\">Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit, open-access and accredited institution that serves traditional students starting their college careers, non-traditional students, and working adults seeking advancement through higher education. Our diverse\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/programs\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">degree and certificate programs<\/a>\u202fprepare students for the global marketplace through experience-rich curricula delivered by expert practitioners. Student success is supported through flexible formats, including 100% online options and locations throughout Delaware and southern New Jersey, and\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/tuition\/index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">affordable tuition rates<\/a>\u202fthat are consistently lower than those of regional competitors. For more information, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.wilmu.edu<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wilmington University is pleased to announce the appointment of the Honorable Jan R. Jurden as dean of the Wilmington University School of Law, effective April&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":17454,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[14,39,15,384],"class_list":["post-17445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-wilmington-university","tag-wilmington-university-school-of-law","tag-wilmu","tag-wilmu-law"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":2,"label":"ACADEMIC NEWS"}],"post_tag":[{"value":14,"label":"Wilmington University"},{"value":39,"label":"Wilmington University School of Law"},{"value":15,"label":"WilmU"},{"value":384,"label":"wilmu law"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Judge-Jan-Jurden-dean-480x480.jpg",480,480,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Rachel Marchione","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/author\/rachel\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":2,"name":"ACADEMIC NEWS","slug":"academic-news","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":559,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":460,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":2,"category_count":460,"category_description":"","cat_name":"ACADEMIC NEWS","category_nicename":"academic-news","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":14,"name":"Wilmington University","slug":"wilmington-university","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":571,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":357,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":39,"name":"Wilmington University School of Law","slug":"wilmington-university-school-of-law","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":596,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":39,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":15,"name":"WilmU","slug":"wilmu","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":572,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":291,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":384,"name":"wilmu law","slug":"wilmu-law","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":941,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":13,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17445"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17457,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17445\/revisions\/17457"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}