On February 4, 2025, WashU Law formally recognized Stefanie A. Lindquist as the inaugural Nickerson Dean in a special ceremony uniting students, alumni, faculty, and staff. This event, held in the Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom at Anheuser-Busch Hall, celebrated both Lindquist’s visionary leadership and the enduring generosity of alumnus Steven “Cash” Nickerson, JD ’85, MBA ’93, whose endowment established the deanship.
Nickerson is a longtime supporter of WashU Law and has built a distinguished career at the intersection of law and business. He is the current chairman and CEO of Nickerson Stoneleigh, a Dallas-based private investment firm. He previously served as president and CFO of PDS Tech, one of the nation’s largest specialty staffing firms. In addition to his legal career, Nickerson is a prolific author, philanthropist, and tireless advocate for legal education. His endowment of the deanship reflects a deep commitment to ensuring WashU Law remains at the leading edge of legal scholarship and professional development.
“WashU is an institution of engaged idealists. It thinks about what we can do together,” Nickerson said. “Our family gift arises from our profound love and respect for education, our profound love and respect for a WashU that is not just studying the world, but is in the world, and our desire to craft and shape idealistic leaders of the future of WashU Law. There is no one better to do this than the new Nickerson Dean, Stefanie Lindquist.”
Lindquist is one of the country’s leading experts on constitutional law and the U.S. Supreme Court. Before joining WashU Law, she held several positions at Arizona State University, including senior vice president for global academic initiatives and deputy provost and vice president for academic affairs. She also served as dean of the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs and held faculty leadership roles at the University of Texas School of Law. Lindquist is a proven champion of academic portfolios that drive impact and enhance global reputations, and her deanship will mark a new era of excellence for WashU Law.
In her inaugural address, Lindquist reflected on a rapidly evolving legal field marked by new advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. She outlined a bold new vision for WashU Law, one that will see the school evolve alongside technology and become a renowned center for innovation in legal education.
Watch Dean Lindquist’s remarks here.
“We are experiencing a disruption that is perhaps long overdue,” Lindquist said. “There is much to do, and we lawyers have a major role to play in the construction of legal and governance institutions in the age of AI. As legal educators, we have a duty to our students to prepare them for this new reality. Fortunately for WashU, we are well-positioned for this future in legal education and law practice.”
The ceremony concluded with a reception where attendees engaged with Lindquist and celebrated this exciting milestone for WashU Law. Please join us in thanking Cash Nickerson and his family for their generosity.
