Law aims to focus on students

    The dean of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design finds his passion in one thing: his students.
    Though Dennis Law has focused on his responsibilities as dean for the last 13 years, he has been able to teach several classes.

    "I remember, finally when I was offered a teaching position here, how much joy that brought me," Law said. "It seems that I haven't been able to give teaching my attention."

    This problem has led Law to step down as dean after this year to return to the classroom full time. Law said he has several reasons for wanting to spend more time with his students, whom he describes as "the best in the world."

    "The thing that really gives you a thrill is to watch them grow and take things that you say and apply those to their experience," he said.

    Law not only teaches his students but learns from them as well.
    "They come to us with all this variety of living experience, and background and cultures," he said. "I learn about myself a lot."

    As dean of the college, Law has contributed throughout his tenure. He said K-State architecture has reached its highest national ranking, and the college's relationships with the professionals and alumni are also at a high point.

    "That's all because of a good team," he said. "I don't want to take credit for that, except for to put together a good team and empower them to do their jobs."
    Law has also worked to raise $6.2 million for improvements to Seaton Hall. But, he said, the department is still trying to figure out how to renovate Seaton Court. He said the university is spending $3 million on reroofing the building and needs to improve the ventilation.
    "You would be shocked to see what Seaton Hall was like prior to 2000. Seaton Hall is so much better than it was; Seaton Court leaves a lot to be desired," Law said.

    Rod Troyer, associate professor in interior architecture and product design, has been at K-State for 23 years and has seen Law's effect on the college.
    "I think that it's been cumulative and profound," Troyer said. "He has made the foundation of everything that we do here, has taken from things that we aspired to do and kept hammering at it until we were doing the things that we thought were a stretch."

    Law's dedication is also visible to his students.
    Krystal Schuette, junior in landscape architecture, said she experienced an example of his loyalty one December when people were hurrying to finish their studio projects. At about 10 p.m., Law came around with his wife and delivered Christmas cookies to the students.
    "I don't think that probably happens at any other college, really," Schuette said.  
    Jeremy Anterola, fifth-year student in landscape architecture, said Law is a great teacher because of the time and effort he puts into his students.
    "He's a great believer in the students themselves, and he invests himself in the students by being involved in what they're working on," Anterola said. "He always comes to check in on us and see what we're doing."
    Law does not want to take the credit - it always goes back to the students.

    "They've been great," he said. "They're what it's all about."