Campus Briefs Fall 2012 Week 5

Dean of Law School Steps Down for Sabbatical

Dean of Santa Clara Law School, Donald Polden, has recently announced his decision to step down. Summer 2013 will mark the 10th year he will have been at Santa Clara. Polden first became the law school dean in 2003, but will be taking a year-long sabbatical, then returning as a law school professor in 2014.

While at Santa Clara, Polden was able to complete the law school's first comprehensive campaign in 2008, which raised more than $17 million in student scholarships, faculty support, and assistance for centers, institutes, and clinical programs.

He has also been responsible for hiring more than a third of the current faculty members within the law school during his term. He has helped create new curriculum regarding leadership education and has worked extensively in creating new academic programs for Santa Clara Law students abroad.

Before he began his time at Santa Clara, Polden was the dean and professor of law at the University of Memphis from 1993-2003. As a professor, he has covered many subjects such as employment law and corporate law. Before he was a law school dean, he spent his time practicing law within the realm of federal securities litigation and antitrust.

Annual Iron Chef Competition is a Re-match

Team Lubecky and Team Brinkman will battle head-to-head in a rematch of Santa Clara's Annual Iron Chef Competition on Friday evening. 

The kitchen at Sauté will transform into a stadium as two teams of five cooks are given a mystery seasonal ingredient and have one hour to prepare three courses, similar to the show, "Iron Chef," on the Food Network.

"I like the show," said senior Katherine Bercovitz. "I am excited that they are bringing it to (Santa Clara)."

Each competition features two teams that pair up with a Bon Appétit chef. Friday's match showcases General Manager Robert Lubecky and Executive Chef Michael Brinkman who will lead their team of five cooks each. 

This competition is different in comparison to other quarters, as it serves as a rematch from last year's competition when Lubecky's team beat Brinkman's.

Even though each team has an employee leader, the students are the ones who plan the menu and do the cooking. The leaders are just there to provide feedback and help adjust the menu if needed.

After the seasonal mystery ingredient is revealed, the teams have five minutes to decide on the courses they want to prepare. Once the menu is planned, the team divides up the tasks and starts cooking. After the hour is up, the judges try each course and vote on which meal is best and most creative. 

The winning teams receive iPod Shuffles and the satisfaction of being the best.

"It is something fun for students, and a way to test their cooking skills," said Lubecky.

This is the fourth time that the university is having the iron chef competition and last year was the first year of the competition. .

"It is a great way to bring students in and show them what we do," said Brinkman.

The battle takes place this Friday at 5 p.m. Students are encouraged to come watch and cheer on the competitors. They can even ask questions while the students are preparing the food.  

"We would love to have people come and cheer on their classmates," said Lubecky.

From staff reports. Contact news@thesantaclara.com or call (408) 554-4948.

Corrections

The photo for "Panel Captivates With Invaluable Advice" was incorrectly credited. The photographer was Paul Novisoff (Pg. 4, Oct.18, 2012). 

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