Pepperdine Selects Policy Dean After Starr Bows Out

Pepperdine University has named James R. Wilburn as the dean of its School of Public Policy, a position that was recently turned down by White House independent counsel Kenneth Starr.

Wilburn, 65, had served as the school’s inaugural dean since September 1996.

Before joining the School of Public Policy, Wilburn served as dean of Pepperdine’s George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management for 12 years, where he was also a professor of strategy.

Wilburn has a PhD in economic history from UCLA, a master’s degree from Midwestern State University in Texas and an MBA from Pepperdine’s Presidential/Key Executive program. He received his bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University in Texas.

Starr’s April 16 announcement that he would not take the deanship due to his investigation of President Clinton was a blow to Pepperdine, which had hoped to enhance its prestige and curriculum by employing the highly visible prosecutor.