Professor Emeritus Janet Kerr (JD '78) Named Vice Chancellor of Pepperdine University

December 4, 2015 --  In an email to staff today, Pepperdine University Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs and Chief Development Officer S. Keith Hinkle announced that Pepperdine Law Professor Emeritus Janet Kerr ('75, JD '78) has agreed to serve as Vice Chancellor at Pepperdine University, effective January 4, 2016:

I am pleased to announce that Janet Kerr has accepted our invitation to serve as vice chancellor at Pepperdine University.  Janet, a long time serving faculty member at the School of Law, will assume her responsibilities on January 4, 2016.  Janet graduated from Seaver College and our School of Law before receiving an LL.M. from New York University School of Law.  She had a distinguished legal career beginning at the Securities and Exchange Commission and culminating in her current role as Professor Emeritus after serving more than 30 years as a faculty member at the School of Law.  During her faculty years Janet served as founder and executive director of the Geoffrey H. Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law and held the Laure Sudreau-Rippe Endowed Chair.  She twice received the Harriet and Charles Luckman Distinguished Teaching Fellow Award for Excellence in Teaching, was honored as a distinguished alumna at Seaver College, and served as associate dean from 1987-1990 at the School of Law.

Janet serves on the board of directors of five companies, four of which are public, and has served as chairperson on several board committees related to corporate governance.  She is of counsel to Nave and Cortell and CEO of Kerr Strategic Consulting, and has served as an author, entrepreneur, advisor, and consultant to a variety of business and government groups during her career.   Janet is also a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and Women Corporate Directors.

Janet has developed strong and deep friendships with many friends and alumni over her more than three decades at Pepperdine.  She has been a favorite of students—and of mine—year in and year out.  Janet has impacted countless careers and lives through her passion for the rule of law and her genuine interest and ability to be involved in the lives of students and alumni.  She has made Pepperdine a priority in her own personal giving.  I cannot think of a better person to assist the University in encouraging friends and alumni to be more involved and invested in our collective future.

As vice chancellor serving as a senior member of the University Advancement team, Janet will play a leading role in raising transformational gifts for the University's highest strategic priorities.  She is uniquely qualified and prepared to assist in the Advancement efforts of the University.  I look forward to partnering with Janet in this endeavor and am deeply grateful for her willingness to further support her alma mater in this new role.

Please join me in welcoming and congratulating, vice chancellor, Janet Kerr!