Eight days after the controversial removal of Duquesne University's law dean, his interim replacement today announced creation of a panel from the legal community to interact with students, faculty and alumni.

The 14-member panel, nearly all of them Duquesne graduates, includes two state senators, two retired state Supreme Court justices and a number of other judges and attorneys.

The statement, released by the university late this afternoon, quotes interim law dean Ken Gormley. It makes no mention of threats by some major donors to withhold donations or other complaints by some faculty and students since Don Guter, dean since 2005, was given 24 hours to resign or be removed.

"I invited these well-respected individuals to assist the School of Law during this time of transition," Mr. Gormley said. "They are committed to working together to directly engage with faculty, students, and alumni of the Law School to ensure that the goals of the School are achieved."

Duquesne says membership includes:

The Honorable Donetta W. Ambrose: Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; 1970 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

The Honorable Max Baer: Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; 1975 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

The Honorable Cynthia A. Baldwin: Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; Partner of Duane Morris LLP; 1980 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

The Honorable Ralph J. Cappy: Retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; Shareholder of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney P.C.

The Honorable Robert J. Cindrich: Chief Legal Counsel for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; former Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District Pennsylvania.

The Honorable Joy Flowers Conti: Judge of the United States District Court for Western Pennsylvania; 1973 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

The Honorable Kate Ford Elliott: President Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania; 1978 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

The Honorable Timothy K. Lewis: Counsel to Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP; former Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; 1980 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

The Honorable D. Brooks Smith: Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Senator Jay Costa, Jr.: Pennsylvania State Senator; shareholder of Grogan Graffam P.C.; 1989 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

Senator Jane Clare Orie: Pennsylvania State Senator; formerly a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Allegheny County Deputy District Attorney; 1987 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

Stephen C. Frobouck, Esq.: Partner, The Anderson Group of Companies Inc.; 1968 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

Kenneth J. Horoho, Jr., Esq.: Partner, Goldberg, Gruener, Gentile Horoho & Avalli; past president of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association; 1980 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.

John R. McGinley, Jr., Esq.: Member, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC; 1968 graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.