Roger Dennis

Roger J. Dennis, founding dean of the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law and former leader of Rutgers University–Camden, passed away on July 17, 2025. A resident of Cherry Hill, N.J., he was 75.

A nationally recognized leader in legal education and university administration, Dennis was widely known and respected for his ability to apply higher education as a driving force for positive change in the lives of students and the communities in which universities reside.

As provost at Rutgers University–Camden, Dennis established the university as an anchor institution and key partner in revitalizing the city. At Drexel, he was instrumental in swiftly establishing a national profile for its new law school, which he joined in 2007.

At the time of his appointment as law dean at Drexel, Dennis stated “Legal education is my passion and my profession. The opportunity to participate in the launch of a world-class law school is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

During his tenure as law dean at Drexel, Dennis led the school through the American Bar Association accreditation process in the shortest amount of time possible, resulting in full accreditation in 2011. He built connections with the Philadelphia legal community, including the relationship that led to noted trial attorney Thomas R. Kline making the largest gift in Drexel history – $50 million – to the school that now bears his name.

Under Dennis’s leadership, the Kline School of Law introduced programs including the accelerated two-year JD and the online Master of Legal Studies program, both of which remain the only ones of their kind in the metro Philadelphia region. He led the implementation of a professional practice requirement for JD students and was instrumental in the creation of the Thomas R. Kline Institute for Trial Advocacy.

He also played a key role in the success of Drexel’s Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships by creating what is now the Stern Community Lawyering Clinic, a student law clinic anchoring the center and providing legal service to Philadelphia’s Mantua and Powelton Village communities.

He retired from the deanship in 2017 and remained on the Drexel law school’s faculty as professor emeritus and dean emeritus until the time of his passing.
Prior to joining Drexel, Dennis served as provost at Rutgers University–Camden, first as acting provost in 1996 and then in the permanent role in 1997. In this capacity, Dennis was the administrative and academic leader of the southernmost campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

As provost at Rutgers University–Camden, Dennis greatly expanded the institution’s baccalaureate and graduate programs and launched the nation’s first doctoral program in the field of childhood studies. During his tenure, Rutgers–Camden added graduate programs in psychology, criminal justice, and computer science, and bachelor’s degree programs in liberal studies, criminal justice, and hospitality management.

Under Dennis’s leadership, Rutgers–Camden elevated its reputation for research innovations through the establishment of prominent scholarly centers, including the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs, which commemorates the life of the late New Jersey state senator through the application of policy research to advance the Garden State.

A lifelong adherent to the principle of good institutional citizenship, Dennis led Rutgers–Camden to become a true partner in the growth of the City of Camden and the southern New Jersey region. He helped to launch the Camden Special Services Improvement District, which maintains Camden’s downtown and University District areas. Rutgers embarked upon an impressive rehabilitation of properties along Cooper Street, the main gateway into both Rutgers and the Camden Waterfront. He also led a renovation of historic Johnson Park on the Camden campus, which became an attraction for real estate development in the neighborhood.

Dennis’s commitment to enhancing the student experience at Rutgers–Camden was evident in the creation of the Rutgers Camden Community Park, an athletic complex that provides the community and the Rutgers–Camden Scarlet Raptors with playing fields for soccer and softball. He led Rutgers–Camden to partner in the creation of Campbell’s Field, which attracted professional minor league baseball to the city for many years.

Dennis was instrumental in the launch of the LEAP Academy University Charter School, which was one of New Jersey’s first charter schools. Today, LEAP serves more than 1,500 Camden children and their families.

Prior to his selection as provost of Rutgers University–Camden, Dennis was a member of the Rutgers School of Law–Camden faculty. He joined the law school in 1981 and became associate dean for faculty and academic affairs in 1987. In 1990, he became acting dean and was appointed dean in 1991. While he was dean, Dennis established a robust portfolio of pro bono and live-client clinics, which provided students with professional experience and delivered critical legal assistance to the community.

Prior to his arrival at Rutgers University–Camden, Dennis served as a special assistant to the assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division. He also was an associate with the law firm Skadden in Washington, D.C., and clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Richard McLaren in Chicago.

On the national front, Dennis was a recognized leader in legal education. He was elected to the ABA Council on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar for two three-year terms, starting in 2013. Previously, he served the ABA as chair of the Section on Legal Education Standards Committee and vice chair of its Accreditation Committee. He chaired the ABA’s Standards Review Committee and New Deans Workshop Committee, as well as eleven law school re-accreditation site inspections.

In 1991, he was elected to the American Law Institute.

Dennis’s scholarship explored the application of modern financial theory to corporate law, strategic corporate behavior, and antitrust law. At both Drexel and Rutgers–Camden, he taught courses on administrative law, corporate and antitrust law, corporate counseling, corporate taxation, and securities regulation.

Dennis was prominent in the civic life of the Delaware Valley region. In 2003, he received the Nathan Asbell, MD Humanitarian Award from the United Way of Camden County in recognition of his leadership of Rutgers’ involvement in the revitalization of Camden. He chaired the United Way’s fundraising campaign during 2002-03, resulting in a $4.5 million outcome that exceeded the campaign’s goal. During 2006-08, he chaired the Camden County board. He continued to serve on the United Way of Greater Philadelphia’s local board for Burlington and Camden counties.

An avid bicyclist, Dennis was a frequent participant in the MS 150 City to Shore cycling fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, where he also served as chair-elect of the Board of Trustees and co-chair of the Governance Committee.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 53 years, Deborah Ellis Dennis, and their sons Andrew (Kailyn) and Ethan (Kristen). They have two grandchildren, Elizabeth and Henry. Dennis is also survived by a sister, Paula Frank (Richard).

He is predeceased by his parents, Harry and Sarah.

He was a 1974 graduate of Northwestern University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor magna cum laude and graduated with the Order of the Coif. In 1971, he received his bachelor’s degree in speech from Northwestern University.

Funeral Services are private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Drexel University. Contributions in his memory may be made to the National MS Society, www.nationalmssociety.org