Elon Law Dean Gets Tattoo After Record Bar Exam Win
Dean Zak Kramer fulfilled a student challenge after the Class of 2025 achieved a record-breaking bar passage rate.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in College Applications
Live Poll
Do you believe unconventional rewards from school administrators effectively motivate students to achieve better academic results?
In 2025, the Elon University School of Law Class of 2025 reached an 83% first-time bar passage rate, exceeding the goal set by Dean Zak Kramer. To honor this performance, the dean received a tattoo.
Why it matters
The school implemented new support structures, such as childcare assistance, to eliminate barriers for students. This effort was intended to help students succeed on their first attempt and surpass the previous 82% record.
Elon Law was founded 20 years ago and has seen first-time passage rates fluctuate from a low of 50% to the current record of 83%. The school remains one of roughly 180 ABA-accredited law programs in the country.
The players
Zak Kramer
He serves as the dean of the Elon University School of Law.
Elon University School of Law
This ABA-accredited institution is located in North Carolina and was founded two decades ago.
The details
Dean Zak Kramer engaged the Class of 2025 in a formal challenge to beat the 82% benchmark established by the school's inaugural graduates. The law program supported this academic push by removing various study barriers for its students.
Timeline
2006: Elon University School of Law was established.
2009: The first graduating class achieved an 82% pass rate.
2025: The Class of 2025 achieved the new 83% pass record.
October 2026: The achievement and tattoo were reported in news coverage.
Culture Shift
Academic institutions are increasingly moving away from traditional hands-off administration toward active support models that include logistical aid like childcare. This trend reflects a broader evolution in higher education focused on removing socioeconomic barriers to ensure student success.
Prospective students in the Greensboro area should note that the school has institutionalized new support services like student childcare to aid degree completion. These academic improvements may influence admissions standards and overall program competitiveness for future cycles.
The takeaway
Achieving high passage rates often requires institutional changes that address student life outside the classroom. Law students should evaluate whether potential schools provide similar tangible support structures to aid their academic performance.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of legal education, explore College Applications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Myfox8.
Live Poll
Do you believe unconventional rewards from school administrators effectively motivate students to achieve better academic results?
