Deane has a long history with the school, from which he graduated in 1981 after enrolling at age 50. Since then, he has served on Hofstra’s board of trustees, endowed a professorship, mentored law students and established a scholarship. The law school library is already named for Deane.

“Maurice holds a very special place in the history and the development of the law school,” said Stuart Rabinowitz, the university’s president and former law dean. “He is a person of impeccable integrity and with a deep commitment to academic and professional excellence.”