Paul Ward named vice president at SMU
<p>Paul Ward, vice president for university administration and general counsel at ASU, has been named vice president for legal affairs, general counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees at Southern Methodist University, effective Jan. 1, 2009.<br /><br />“We are pleased to welcome Paul Ward to SMU,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “As an SMU law alumnus, he knows the university and his extensive background in legal affairs at other universities gives him the knowledge and experience to lead SMU’s legal affairs division.”<br /><br />At SMU, Ward will oversee legal services to the university, including the supervision of three staff attorneys, and selection and management of outside counsel. Additionally, as secretary to the board of trustees, he will work closely with the president and senior administrative officers in coordinating the board’s activities.<br /><br />“It is with mixed emotions and utmost respect for Arizona State University and President Crow’s vision for ASU as a New American University, that I have decided to accept an appointment as vice president for legal affairs, general counsel, and secretary of the Board of Trustees at Southern Methodist University,” Ward says. “It has been an honor to serve as the chief legal officer of ASU since June 1991. I will always treasure the friendships established at ASU and in Arizona.” <br /><br />Ward became vice president for university administration and general counsel at ASU in Sept. 2004. He has served as general counsel at ASU since June 1991.<br /><br />In the role of vice president for university administration his areas of responsibility include the police department, university audit and advisory services, and the environmental health and safety department. Ward also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education at ASU. <br /><br />“Paul Ward has been an integral part of the ASU administration for 17 years,” ASU President Michael Crow says. “His accomplishments and leadership have strengthened many areas of the university as it has grown immensely in size and complexity. Paul is irreplaceable, and he will be greatly missed.”</p>