Ellen R. Jordan, 53, former dean of the University of California, Davis, School of Law, died peacefully Friday evening (Aug. 9) at her home in Woodland after a lengthy illness. Professor Jordan was to have begun her appointment as dean in July 1991 but the discovery of ovarian cancer and subsequent surgery forced her to delay her arrival on campus until January 1992. She resigned as dean that following November, explaining that continuing treatment for cancer had deprived her of "the energy and stamina this position demands." She remained a member of the law school faculty, teaching insurance law and negotiation. "Ellen was inspirational at UC Davis in ways that few can be," said UC Davis Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef. "She worked to her maximum capacity, at the top of her talents, under the most difficult personal circumstances. This, by itself, is an admirable legacy of one's life's work." Said UC Davis law school dean Bruce A. Wolk, "Ellen was a wise and valued colleague, with a deep commitment to legal education and the profession. She faced her tragic and untimely illness with dignity and courage, and was an inspiration to all of us." Professor Jordan came to UC Davis from the University of Georgia School of Law, which she joined in 1976 and served as associate dean from 1983 to 1986. She assumed the role of acting associate vice president for academic affairs from 1986 to 1988. Her professional experience includes serving as consultant to the Administrative Conference of the United States and the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Improvements in Administration of Justice; and visiting assistant professor at the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan. She was a member of the American Law Institute and the Maryland Bar, as well as the honor societies Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa. She assisted the Association of American Law Schools as a member of its executive committee from 1986 to 1989, and as a group leader, committee member or presenter since 1981. She also served as a board member of the Georgia Conservancy. Professor Jordan taught courses in civil procedure, contracts, sales, commercial paper, unfair trade, administrative law, insurance, negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. A 1972 graduate of Columbia Law School, Professor Jordan was notes editor for the Columbia Law Review and received the Jane Marks Murphy Prize, awarded to the outstanding woman in the graduating class. She received a bachelor's degree in history from Cornell University in 1964. Professor Jordan is survived by her husband, Carl; sons Timothy, 21, a graduate student at St. Andrews University in Scotland, and Daniel, 23, a graduate student at the Cleveland Institute of Music; sister Phyllis Onstad of Santa Rosa; and father Joseph Rausen of Rohnert Park. Plans for a memorial service are not yet complete. The family requests that no flowers be sent.