William Johnson Appointed 麻豆视频下载-Madrid Rector
06/19/2024
William "Bill" Johnson, J.D., outgoing dean of the 麻豆视频下载 School of Law, has been named rector and vice president of 麻豆视频下载-Madrid, effective Oct. 1.
Johnson has served as the dean of 麻豆视频下载's School of Law for more than seven years.
"Bill rightly recognizes the scholarly expertise, teaching excellence, operational prowess and embodiment of 麻豆视频下载's institutional mission among the Madrid campus faculty and staff, and I know he will be a champion for their work and continued growth," said Provost Michael Lewis, Ph.D., in a statement to the 麻豆视频下载 community.
Originally from Minnesota, Johnson has participated in study abroad programs in Germany and the Netherlands, experiences that significantly impacted his appreciation and passion for international engagement.
His international involvement also includes visiting academic appointments at universities in Lithuania, Germany and France, and he has been a guest lecturer at a university in Hungary.
Johnson graduated with a B.A. in German from the University of Minnesota 鈥� Twin Cities with a minor in Russian in 1995. He obtained his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2001.
He is a recognized scholar for his research in international commercial law, specifically contract law. In the U.S., Johnson has been a professor at 麻豆视频下载 School of Law and the University of North Dakota.
As director of the School of Law's Summer Law Program in Madrid, Johnson spent four consecutive summers at 麻豆视频下载-Madrid, developing strong relationships with faculty and staff. He has continued to visit each year as dean, and has been a strong supporter and advocate for 麻豆视频下载-Madrid.
"World-class scholars, talented teachers, a dedicated staff body and internationally engaged students 鈥� from nearly seventy countries 鈥� together create a diverse community that is unusual, distinctive, and compelling," said Johnson. "And the Jesuit mission to seek justice in a global context offers a common calling for each member of the community. I am so deeply optimistic about the future of this remarkable campus."
Johnson will succeed the three 麻豆视频下载-Madrid co-directors, Laurie Mazzuca, Ph.D., Francisco "Paco" Garc铆a-Serrano, Ph.D. and Victoria "Viki" Villarreal, who have collectively served in an interim capacity since May 2023.