UND Professor Robert Beck was the first law professor awarded the distinction of a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professorship in 1975 . He taught natural resources law and served as an assistant professor and professor from 1962 to 1976 , when he left to join the Southern Illinois University Law School . Despite Fritz himself being awarded an honorary doctorate of laws degree from UND in 1951 , it is notable Beck was the law school ’ s only Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor … until now .
Rand , center , is only the second UND law professor to receive the university ’ s highest recognition .
Please join me in congratulating Professor Kathryn Rand on being awarded the distinction of Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor . Rand is one of only two professors ( along with her frequent collaborator Steven Light ) to earn the designation in 2023 . As you likely know , Rand served as our dean from 2009 to 2018 . During this time , she led the complicated process of renovating and reconstructing our law school building . Rand also ably led us through devastating budget cuts with positivity and confidence , focusing on maintaining the quality of our academic programs . Notably , Rand ’ s administrative service began when she became an associate dean in 2004 , only four years after she joined UND as an assistant professor . Without her excellent service , our law school would not be the strong and vibrant school it is today . Rand ’ s legacy is one of administrative service .
What you may not realize is that despite her high level of administrative service , Rand is also a celebrated teacher and scholar . She and her frequent co-author and collaborator Steven Light are the nation ’ s most prolific scholars and most influential academics in the field of tribal gaming law and policy . They co-founded and co-direct the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law and Policy at UND , the first U . S . academic institute dedicated to tribal gaming . Rand and Light ’ s publications span four academic disciplines : law , political science , American Indian studies , and gambling studies . They have co-authored more than 100 publications . Their three co-authored books are the standards in the field , and serve as recommended or required reading in universities from Harvard Law School to the College of the Muscogee Nation . Their texts are also go-to treatises for professionals in the field , from federal regulators with the National Indian Gaming Commission to tribal casino managers . Their published works have been cited hundreds of times in the academic literature , in governmental reports , and even in high-profile federal court decisions . Rand ’ s legacy is also one of scholarly excellence .
As a result of this productivity , Rand and Light have made dozens of scholarly and professional presentations , contributing to multiple symposia and serving as distinguished and keynote speakers both nationally and internationally , including at the University of Macau , the University of Helsinki , and the University of Manitoba . They also presented their research at more than a dozen universities , including American University , Arizona State , Boston College , Michigan State , Stanford University , and University of Nevada , Las Vegas . Rand and Light have been interviewed , reprinted , or quoted in news outlets across the country . They have testified before the U . S . Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on tribal gaming issues . Despite all of the attention , Rand has never sought the spotlight and indeed , she embodies the modesty of North Dakota . Rand ’ s legacy is one of policy and public impact .
Rand and Light also developed and taught
the first university-level courses in the nation centered on tribal gaming law and policy . There are now several dozen such courses offered at universities and law schools . Rand ’ s teaching style is described by her colleagues and former students in glowing and outstanding terms . She is described as someone who never wavers in her demand for excellence but does so with kindness . She is described as an inspiring instructor and a gifted lecturer whose passion and knowledge comes through with every interaction with her students . She is described as a teacher who stresses the importance of understanding how changes in the law impact people ’ s lives . She is described as a committed and professional instructor , but also one of the nicest people you will ever meet and a fantastic mentor . She is described as a candidate for the Greatest of All Time ( GOAT ) for continuing to learn , grow , and achieve excellence . Rand ’ s legacy is one of teaching excellence .
There are so many ways to leave a legacy . Fritz ’ s legacy lives on through his Distinguished Professorships and the students , faculty , staff , and community members these special individuals continue to impact . At UND Law , we are so proud to now include a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor on our faculty . We are proud that it is Kathryn Rand , whose legacy will only continue to grow .
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