Former Dean, Susanah M. Mead, '76, Passes Away
01/04/2018
The law school mourns the loss of former dean and professor, Susanah M. Mead, ’76, who passed away on December 23, 2017, at the age of 70. Dean Mead was the first woman and first graduate of IU McKinney to serve as dean of the school, a position she held from 2005 until 2007.
Current IU McKinney Law Dean Andrew R. Klein, who served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs while Mead was Interim Dean, said of her, “She became more than just a friend and colleague—but also a role model for how to handle even the most difficult issues with patience, thoughtfulness, and grace. Perhaps the core of what I learned from Susie is the importance for a leader to confront challenges head-on, and the value of doing so in an open and civil fashion. Every single person in our law school community had tremendous respect for her judgment and for her integrity. I am deeply saddened by her passing, and I will miss her terribly.”
Dean Mead was a graduate of Tudor Hall School for Girls in Indianapolis and Smith College. Following her graduation (summa cum laude) from IU McKinney in 1976, she clerked for two years for the Honorable Paul H. Buchanan, then chief judge of the Indiana Court of Appeals. She returned to the law school in 1978 to begin a career in legal education that spanned 35 years. She served the institution in multiple roles including as a legal writing instructor, and director of the legal writing program. She was one of the first tenured female law professors at IU McKinney, teaching torts and products liability. In 1997, she was appointed to the role of associate dean for academic affairs, where she worked with the dean in helping to lead the law school through an ambitious capital campaign that resulted in the construction of the law school’s current home, Lawrence W. Inlow Hall. Among her contributions to legal education was the creation of the Dean's Tutorial Society, one of the first organized, volunteer, peer tutoring efforts in a law school in the nation.
In 2005 Susie Mead was hand-picked by the IUPUI Chancellor to serve as interim dean of the law school. For two years, she led the school through an extremely challenging transition and tight financial budget period with the utmost honesty, poise, and professionalism. She served as a role model for countless students, faculty and staff members, who held her in high esteem.
Dean Mead served on many law school and university committees, including the Advisory Committee for the IUPUI Master Plan. Additionally, she was co-chair of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Conclave on Legal Education in 2007.
She was also a great supporter of community organizations. She served as trustee to the Pension Fund of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local No. 30, and as an elected member of the Indianapolis Garden Club. Dean Mead was a member of the board of directors of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site for nine years, and was serving on its Advisory Cabinet and as chair of its Strategic Planning Task Force at the time of her passing.
“We found Susie to be an unwavering friend and indefatigable leader,” said Charles Hyde, President and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. “She was always ready to take on any challenge, and would jump into a project with a whip-smart intellect and a work ethic to match. Susie was a great advocate, and left an indelible mark as one of the architects of our ambitious new strategic plan.”
Susie was an avid supporter of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Opera, and the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Additionally, she was a member of the Indiana Historical Society’s “Living Legends” selection committee, the Indiana Bar Association’s Buchanan Award selection committee, and served on the Vestry of Christ Church Cathedral.
Dean Mead was honored by the Indianapolis Bar Foundation as a Distinguished Fellow in 2006 for her outstanding commitment to the legal profession. She was also the recipient of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Presidential Citation in 2007 and that same year was named the IU McKinney Law Alumna of the Year. She was recognized as a distinguished alumnua by Park Tudor School, and also was named a 2009 Distinguished Barrister by the Indiana Lawyer.
Dean Mead was preceded in death by her husband, William John (Jack) Mead, who was a familiar face at many law school functions. She is survived by her three daughters, Holly, Edie and Sybil Mead.
A memorial service took place at Christ Church Cathedral on January 8, 2018. In honor of their mother, the Mead daughters plan to support a scholarship at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law for women law students showing exceptional promise as leaders in the law. In lieu of flowers, contributions to this scholarship may be made in memory of Susanah Mead to the Indiana University Foundation, PO Box 6460, Indianapolis, IN 46206-6460.
