photo of the room decorated for the alumni awards dinner.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Distinguished Alumni Awards are given in six categories: the judiciary, private practice, public service, community service, business, and service by a non-alumnus. They are traditionally presented at the Annual Law Alumni Dinner.

Past Award Recipients:

Criteria

Award recipients should be alumni/ae of the School of Law, but need not be a member of the Alumni Association. Awards may be given posthumously. They may be awarded on separate occasions to the same person in more than one category. Each should be a person who has brought credit to the School of Law and its alumni/ae. Preference should be given to those who are able and willing to be physically present to receive the award

For the Judiciary: This award may be conferred upon members of the judiciary serving in any court of law; however, it should not include administrative law judges or hearing examiners (Persons serving in such positions might be considered for a public service award). Recipients should be knowledgeable in the law and diligent and skillful in conducting research; efficient and diligent in the disposition of cases; considerate of the time and courteous toward attorneys, litigants, jurors and court personnel; openminded; honest and conscientious

For Private Practice: This award does not require that the recipient be in active practice when nominated. Recipients should have the respect of fellow practitioners and they should enhance the image of the profession. He or she should be knowledgeable in the law; courteous and tactful in dealing with attorneys, clients, the judiciary and others; honest and trustworthy; diligent and prompt in handling clients affairs; scrupulously ethical; and considerate of the time of clients, fellow attorneys, the judiciary and others

For Public Service: Recipients of this award should be courteous, knowledgeable and skilled in their fields of public service. They should enjoy the respect and admiration of members of the public and the bar, give their time and assistance to members of the public and the profession; devote more energy, time and diligence to their callings than has been required by the terms of their employment; and possess reputations for integrity and conscientiousness

For Community Service: Recipients should enjoy the respect and admiration of fellow practitioners and members of the public. They should demonstrate devoted service in granting their time and assistance to charitable and/or community organizations

For Business/Corporate Counsel: This award does not require that the recipient be in active practice when nominated. Recipients should demonstrate strong leadership skills in business and/or corporate legal affairs. They should be knowledgeable in dealing with attorneys and business persons; courteous and tactful; honest and trustworthy; diligent and prompt in the handling of business and corporate legal matters. They should enhance the image of their business or profession and/or corporate legal profession

For Service by a Non-Alumnus: Recipients should demonstrate strong leadership skills and be highly respected by their fellow practitioners. They should also demonstrate devoted service in granting their time and assistance to the School of Law and the community

Past Award Recipients

2024 - watch the 2024 Awards Presentation
Hon. Henry J. Nowak ’93 - Judiciary
Terrence M. Gilbride ’88 - Private Practice
Erin M. Barclay ’98 - Public Service
Hon. Stephanie A. Saunders ’00 - Community Service
Bruce Karpati ’96 - Business
John V. Elmore - Outstanding Service by a Non-Alumnus

2023 - watch the 2023 Awards Presentation
Hon. Kathy J. King ’84 - Judiciary
James W. Grable ’96 - Private Practice
Sen. Shelley Mayer ’79 - Public Servic
Anne E. Joynt ’05 - Community Service
Marc A. Alpert ’86 - Business
Hon. Elizabeth A. Wolford Outstanding Service by a Non-Alumna

2022 - watch the 2022 Awards Presentation
Hon. Michael M. Mohun ’80 - Judiciary
David C. Schopp ’82 and Karen Andolina Scott ’09 - Public Service
Sachin Kohli ’06 - Private Practice
Jodyann Galvin ’98 - Community Service
Robert J. Gutowski ’99 - Business
Hon. David Edmunds, Jr. - Non-Alumnus

2020 (2021) - watch the 2020 Awards Presentation
Hon. John J. Ark ‘72 - Judiciary
Hon. John J. Flynn ‘95 - Public Service
David R. Pfalzgraf, Jr. ‘ 97 - Private Practice
Paula M. Ciprich ’85 - Business
Laurence K. Rubin ‘77 - Community Service
Hon. Shirley Troutman - Non-Alumna