DAVIS, Calif. -- Having accomplished major goals for the School of Law at the University of California, Davis, law school dean Bruce A. Wolk has announced that he will step down from his post next year. After June 30, 1998, he will return full time to teaching and research. He has been dean of the school since January 1993. "Teaching has always been my first love. Working with students gives me great satisfaction," said Wolk, who looks forward to being able to spend more time in the classroom. He also anticipates that, with the growing retirement population in the country, there will be an increasing need for research in his areas of expertise -- pension and employee benefits law and the taxation of deferred compensation. A national search will be conducted for his replacement, according to Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef, who plans to meet with the faculty soon to discuss the process. " I regret his decision," said Vanderhoef. "But I also understand and respect it. I know from our recent conversations that Bruce has given this very careful consideration." Wolk has guided the law school through challenging times. During his tenure the law school has had to deal with dramatic fee increases, the issue of whether UC law schools should be privatized, changes in affirmative-action policies, a wave of early retirements among senior faculty, and a period of painful budget cutting. "We worked our way through the worst budget crisis in the university's history," said Wolk. "Thanks to the hard work and commitment of the entire law school community -- faculty, staff, students and alumni -- the school is stronger now than it ever has been." Under Wolk's leadership, the school adopted and implemented a new academic plan, including the enhancement of programs in international and environmental law. This year the school is inaugurating a Master of Laws program for international students. The school also created a highly successful civil-rights clinic and greatly expanded its curriculum to meet the increasingly specialized needs of the students. The strengthening of its program helped lead the school last year to a successful seven-year reaccreditation by the American Bar Association. In addition to developing and strengthening its academic programs, the school has extended its fund-raising and outreach efforts. The school successfully launched and completed its first broad-based endowment campaign, to support academic programs and scholarships. Donations to the school's annual fund are at an all-time high. The law school reinvigorated its dean's advisory council, created a new ambassadors program for Sacramento-area alumni, and worked to build a greater sense of community overall with law school alumni. "That's one of the ways King Hall is unique. Our alumni play an active role in the law school community and are exceptionally loyal to the school," said Wolk. As to the future, Wolk notes that "with all of our new programs and expanded curricular offerings, our major constraint has become space." The King Hall building, almost 30 years old, no longer provides adequately for the law school library, computer equipment and operations, visiting faculty, various clinics, and the wide variety of student organizations. Wolk joined the law school at UC Davis in 1978 after serving as an associate with the Washington, D.C., law firm Hogan & Hartson. He was first appointed associate dean in 1981, serving in that position until 1985 and again in 1987-88 and 1989-90. He served as acting dean in 1990-91. He received the law school's distinguished teaching award in 1987 and a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship for study at the University of Munich in 1985-86. He is co-author of the book "Pension and Employee Benefit Law." Wolk earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Antioch College in 1968, his master's degree in physics from Stanford University in 1972, and his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1975. He is married to Lois Wolk, the mayor of Davis, and they have two sons, Adam, 22, and Dan, 20.