A historic gift will lead to the creation of the Kean Family Deanship, Temple University Beasley School of Law announced Tuesday, May 14. The gift to create the endowed deanship at Temple University was made possible through the generosity of the Hon. Joyce Kean, EDU ’63, LAW ’79, and her husband, Dr. Herbert Kean.  

“The Kean Family Deanship marks a significant milestone in the history and future of Temple Law School, creating new opportunities to advance its mission of access and excellence in legal education. We are all deeply grateful to Judge and Dr. Kean and proud to partner with them in elevating this wonderful institution,” Temple President Richard M. Englert said. 

Temple Law School Dean Rachel Rebouché will serve as the inaugural Kean Family Dean.  

“Temple Law School has long set the bar for excellence in experiential legal education and continuous innovation in preparing students for service and success,” Rebouché said. “With this extraordinary gift, Judge and Dr. Kean have empowered us to raise that bar yet again. I’m deeply grateful and truly excited for what their generosity will make possible.” 

Joyce Kean, who also earned her undergraduate degree at Temple, was an educator in the Philadelphia school system before returning to Temple to earn her law degree. She saw firsthand the need for committed social justice advocacy in Philadelphia and worked first as a litigator and then a judge on the Court of Common Pleas to help meet that need.  

“My career in litigation and service on the bench were made possible by Temple Law’s commitment to access and opportunity,” said Kean. “Mine is one of many stories of possibility becoming reality because of this institution. We want to ensure that Temple Law continues as a beacon of opportunity and possibility for generations to come.” 

Mary Burke, Temple’s vice president for institutional advancement, said the gift highlights Temple’s commitment to academic excellence and student success. “This contribution will not only enhance our ability to attract top-tier faculty and students to the Law School, but also reinforces our position as a leader in legal education, empowering us to continue making a profound impact on the legal profession and society at large.” 

The Keans’ transformational $5 million gift to the Law School will establish an endowed fund to deepen the Law School’s investments in teaching, research and public service by preparing and empowering the next generation of Temple lawyers.  

“Temple Law School has a long and proud tradition of leadership in Philadelphia and beyond. Generations of Temple lawyers have continued this tradition through service at the bar, on the bench and in our communities,” said Herbert Kean. “We’re proud to support Temple Law as an institution that is integral to the future of both Philadelphia and the legal profession.” 

The Kean Family Deanship builds on the Keans’ existing philanthropic commitment to the Law School. In 2015, they established the Hon. Joyce Kean Scholarship Fund.  

“With this endowed deanship, Judge and Dr. Kean have forever established themselves as philanthropic leaders in the Temple Law community,” Rebouché said. “Scholarships like the one they have funded for almost a decade help us attract bright, talented, visionary students—the future of our profession. And gifts like this deanship ensure that we can provide those students with a high-caliber legal education that will not just prepare them to practice but inspire them to lead our profession into that future.”