After a nationwide search, retired Vice Admiral Darse E. “Del” Crandall, Jr. has been appointed to the position of dean of the School of Law at the University of North Dakota.
The appointment was made by Eric Link, UND provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Crandall is expected to begin his new role on July 1.
“Del Crandall brings an exceptional record of leadership, service, and legal expertise to the School of Law,” Link said.
“From advising senior national leaders to serving as the Navy’s Judge Advocate General, his career reflects both a deep understanding of the law and a steadfast commitment to public service. We are excited about the perspective and energy he will bring to our academic community and are confident he will be a transformative leader for our students, faculty, staff and the future of the School of Law.”
Link also expressed his appreciation to those involved in the search process.
“I would like to thank the School of Law search committee, chaired by Dean Maridee Shogren, for their work,” he said. “I also appreciate the meaningful input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners whose perspectives were invaluable in selecting the next leader of the UND School of Law.”
Crandall expressed his enthusiasm about the position.
“I am honored to join the School of Law team at the University of North Dakota and excited to work with the phenomenal faculty, staff, and students, as well as the greater UND community,” Crandall said. “Together, we will accomplish the important mission of North Dakota’s only law school.
“I also look forward to partnering with the members of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and UND alumni while contributing to the continued success of the state’s flagship research institution.”
Crandall will succeed Bradley Myers, who has served as interim dean since July 2025. Myers appointment took effect following the departure of Brian Pappas, who served as dean from 2022 to 2025.
Established in 1899, the University of North Dakota School of Law is a cornerstone of legal education in the region, preparing generations of lawyers who serve North Dakota and beyond. The School has an annual total enrollment of approximately 250 students and is home to more than 3,000 alumni. It is nationally recognized for its leadership in Indian and Tribal Law and excellence in rural legal education.
Accredited by the American Bar Association since 1923 and a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1911, the School maintains strong ties with the judiciary and practicing bar of the state of North Dakota, with the majority of state’s judges and attorneys among its alumni.
About Del Crandall
Del Crandall is a native of Elgin, Ill. He attended Northwestern University on a Naval ROTC scholarship, receiving a B.A. in Economics and a Navy commission.
Crandall’s first assignment was on USS Lockwood (FF 1064) in Japan, where he earned his surface warfare officer qualification. After selection for the Navy’s funded law program, he attended Georgetown University. In 1992, he graduated cum laude and became a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. In 1999, he earned an LL.M. in International Law from George Washington University with highest honors. He is a member of the State Bar of Virginia.
As a JAG, Crandall completed assignments in Washington, D.C., Florida, Japan, England, Italy and Germany. After serving as a defense attorney and prosecutor, he spent most of his career as a Staff Judge Advocate advising commanders on national security law, international law, military justice matters and administrative law. He also served on an aircraft carrier, USS Independence (CV 62); as the Commanding Officer of a Navy legal unit; and at the White House as a deputy legal advisor to the National Security Council staff.
He served nine years as an admiral, first as Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and next as the Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy. In his final tour, he was the 45th Judge Advocate General of the Navy. As the JAG, he was the principal military legal counsel to both the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. He also led the 2,700 uniformed attorneys, enlisted paralegals and civilian employees of the worldwide Navy JAG community.
Crandall met his wife, Barbara, at Northwestern. They have three adult sons, a Welsh Terrier, and a cat.
Connor Murphy is a 2015 graduate of the University of North Dakota, where he earned a degree in Communication. He joined UND Today in 2017 as a writer and now serves as internal communications editor in the Division of Marketing & Communications.