ALUMNI SERVICE AWARDS
2019 Award Recipients James Schwartzman '72, Kristine Calalang '04, Elizabeth Fordyce '07 and Dennis McAndrews '75 CLAS, '78 CWSL
Each year, the Villanova Law Alumni Association honors alumni and students who have distinguished themselves withoutstanding professional and personal achievements, and have dedicated their time and service to Villanova Law and their communities.
Nominations
We hope that you will nominate your fellow Villanovans or yourself for our Awards! Please read the below descriptions and eligibility requirements for each Award.
All nominations are reviewed by the Villanova Law Alumni Association’s Awards Committee, and recipients selected are subject to the final approval of the Dean. All nominations are confidential and will be acknowledged to the nominator. The more information you provide, the more serious consideration the Committee can give to the nominee.
To nominate a fellow alum or yourself, please use our convenient online form or email Alumni Relations for instructions on submitting your nomination by mail.
The Awards
VLAA Gerald Abraham Award for Service to Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
This award recognizes outstanding service by alumni to their alma mater. It is presented to alumni who have exhibited outstanding leadership qualities and made significant contributions in time or otherwise to assist the Law School in fulfilling its mission and goals.
The award is named in honor of Professor of Law Emeritus Gerald Abraham who joined the Villanova Law faculty in 1962 and served as associate dean of academic affairs from 1977 to 1992, and twice as acting dean.
Eligibility: must have graduated from the Law School. Alumni currently serving as officers or appointed members (excluding ex-officio) of the Association's Board of Advisers are not eligible to receive this award.
2018-2019 Kristine L. Calalang '04
2017-2018 Marc J. Zucker '84
2016-2017 Israel J. Floyd ’73 and Stephen D. Ford ’73
2015-2016 C. Dale McClain '59 VSB, '64 CWSL
2014-2015 Joseph V. Del Raso ’74 VSB, ’83 CWSL and James P. Garland '56
2013-2014 Sol H. Weiss '72
2012-2013 Kathleen D. Wilkinson '81 and Thomas G. Wilkinson '81
2010-2011 Paul A. Tufano '83 VSB, '86 CWSL
2009-2010 Joseph A. Tate '63 CLAS, '66 CWSL
2008-2009 Stuart H. Savett '63
2007-2008 James L. McHugh '62
2006-2007 Doris Del Tosto Brogan '81
2005-2006 Kathleen M. Shay '74 CLAS, '77 CWSL
2004-2005 J. Clayton Undercofler '66
2003-2004 Amb. David F. Girard-diCarlo '73
2002-2003 Patrick J. O'Connor '67 and Norman J. Shachoy '58 COE, '61 CWSL
2001-2002 Arthur M. Goldberg '66 (posthumously)
2000-2001 Arthur J. Kania '56
1999-2000 Edward R. Murphy '67
VLAA Award for Public Service
This award recognizes outstanding service by alumni to society, exemplifying the University's Augustinian Catholic values. It is presented to alumni who have dedicated time and energy to the public welfare to ameliorate the lives of the less fortunate and society at large.
Eligibility: Nominees must have graduated from the Law School. Alumni currently serving as officers or appointed members (excluding ex-officio) of the Association's Board of Advisers are not eligible to receive this award.
2018-2019 Elizabeth Fordyce '07 and James Schwartzman '72
2017-2018 David G. Gates '75 and Jeffrey S. Nast '99
2016-2017 Lawrence R. Kulig ’84 and Matthew I. Whitehorn ’84
2015-2016 Joel D. Feldman '81 CWSL, '13 MS
2014-2015 Ellen T. Greenlee '73 and Hon. Edward G. Rendell ’68
2013-2014 Stephen G. Harvey '89
2012-2013 Hon. Joseph T. Doyle '58 and Suzanne Noble ’73
2010-2011 Ann S. Torregrossa '70
2009-2010 Sara L. Woods '00
2008-2009 Michael T. McDonnell, Jr. '58 VSB, '61 CWSL and John P. Moses '71
2007-2008 Mark Schwartz '74
2006-2007 John P. Delaney, Jr. '81
2005-2006 Lt. Col. Keith A. Forkin, USMC '93 VSB, '96 CWSL
2004-2005 Frank P. Devine III '73
2003-2004 Hon. Kathryn S. Lewis '76
2002-2003 Karen C. Buck '87
2001-2002 Frank P. Cervone '82
2000-2001 Louis W. Fryman '62
St. Thomas of Villanova Award for Pro Bono Service
This award is presented to alumni of Villanova Law who have performed exceptional pro bono work since graduation, exemplifying the ideals of this law school
Eligibility: Nominees must have graduated from the Law School within the past five years and performed exceptional pro bono work since graduation.
2017-2018 Larry W. Miller Jr. '00
2007-2008 J. Gordon Cooney '84
2003-2004 Danielle E. Beckwith Lehman '01 and Jennifer J. Kramer '01
VLAA Award for Excellence
This award was created in honor of the Association's 50th Anniversary, to be presented to an alumnus/a who through significant contributions to justice, the law and the legal profession, has achieved recognized prominence in his or her chosen career by consistently demonstrating the values of critical thinking, mutual respect and a responsibility to those in need, and in doing so, has brought distinction and honor to the Law School.
2018-2019 Dennis C. McAndrews '75 CLAS, '78 CWSL
2013-2014 Martin G. McGuinn '64 CLAS, '67 CWSL
2006-2007 Marjorie O. Rendell '73
VLAA Anne Bowen Poulin Award for Pro Bono Service
This award is given to the third-year student who has contributed the most meaningful pro bono service to those in need.
The award is named in honor of Professor of Law Anne Bowen Poulin who joined the Villanova Law faculty in 1981 and taught and mentored countless students, and helped to advance the Law School through her unwavering service and dedication.
Eligibility: This award is given to the third-year student who has contributed the most meaningful pro bono service to those in need.
2020-2021 Sarah Blum '21
2019-2020 Christopher Merken '20
2018-2019 Lydia Ellsworth '19
2017-2018 Pamela Putnam '18
2016-2017 Elizabeth Flanagan '17
2015-2016 Ian W. Forster '16
2014-2015 Christine M. Marcozzi '15
2013-2014 Vanessa L. Stine '14
2012-2013 Gabrielle M. Gomez '13 & Christopher S. Marques '13
2011-2012 John V. Rafferty '12
2010-2011 Leila C. Ayachi '11
2009-2010 Amy M. Yacorzynski '10
2008-2009 Sherry L. Coronas '09
2007-2008 Jordan M. Hyatt '08
2006-2007 Eileen F. Carroll '07
2005-2006 Sonia Lee '06
2004-2005 Kelli Babinecz Fiore '05 & Alex G. Isbell
'05
2003-2004 Sarah E. Lavoie (Cox) '04
2002-2003 Lauren J. Amjed (Vidal) '03
2001-2002 Jodi L. Cordeiro '02
2000-2001 Matthew S. Heilman '01 & Kelly S. Sullivan (Urban) '97 CPS, '01 JD
1999-2000 Sara L. Woods '00
1998-1999 Alissa E. Halperin '99
Join the Nova Network, Villanova's official social and professional network, to find Villanovans in your industry and local area, discuss career-related topics and access resources for your professional development.