ALUMNI SERVICE AWARDS
Each year, the Villanova Law Alumni Association honors alumni who have distinguished themselves withoutstanding professional and personal achievements, and have dedicated their time and service to Villanova Law and their communities.
2025 Alumni Awards
Wednesday, November 12
5:30–8:30 p.m.
Union League of Philadelphia
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.
2024-25: Honorable G. Michael Green ’80
2023-24: Diane Ambler '78
2021-22: Stephen Brown '76
2018-19: Kristine L. Calalang '04
2017-18: Marc J. Zucker '84
2016-17: Israel J. Floyd ’73 and Stephen D. Ford ’73
2015-16: C. Dale McClain '59 VSB, '64 CWSL
2014-15: Joseph V. Del Raso ’74 VSB, ’83 CWSL & James P. Garland '56
2013-14: Sol H. Weiss '72
2012-13: Kathleen D. Wilkinson '81 & Thomas G. Wilkinson '81
2010-11: Paul A. Tufano '83 VSB, '86 CWSL
2009-10: Joseph A. Tate '63 CLAS, '66 CWSL
2008-09: Stuart H. Savett '63
2007-08: James L. McHugh '62
2006-07: Doris Del Tosto Brogan '81
2005-06: Kathleen M. Shay '74 CLAS, '77 CWSL
2004-05: J. Clayton Undercofler '66
2003-04: Amb. David F. Girard-diCarlo '73
2002-03: Patrick J. O'Connor '67 & Norman J. Shachoy '58 COE, '61 CWSL
2001-02: Arthur M. Goldberg '66 (posthumously)
2000-01: Arthur J. Kania '56
1999-00: 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.
2024-25: Deborah L. Culhane ’03
2023-24: Diana Cortes '06
2021-22: Hon. Joanna E. McClinton '06
2018-19: Elizabeth Fordyce '07 & James Schwartzman '72
2017-18: David G. Gates '75 & Jeffrey S. Nast '99
2016-17: Lawrence R. Kulig ’84 & Matthew I. Whitehorn '84
2015-16: Joel D. Feldman '81 CWSL, '13 MS
2014-15: Ellen T. Greenlee '73 & Hon. Edward G. Rendell '68
2013-14: Stephen G. Harvey '89
2012-13: Hon. Joseph T. Doyle '58 & Suzanne Noble '73
2010-11: Ann S. Torregrossa '70
2009-10: Sara L. Woods '00
2008-09: Michael T. McDonnell, Jr. '58 VSB, '61 CWSL & John P. Moses '71
2007-08: Mark Schwartz '74
2006-07: John P. Delaney, Jr. '81
2005-06: Lt. Col. Keith A. Forkin, USMC '93 VSB, '96 CWSL
2004-05: Frank P. Devine III '73
2003-04: Hon. Kathryn S. Lewis '76
2002-03: Karen C. Buck '87
2001-02: Frank P. Cervone '82
2000-01: 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.
2023-24: Phillip Kircher '76
2017-18: Larry W. Miller Jr. '00
2007-08: J. Gordon Cooney '84
2003-04: Danielle E. Beckwith Lehman '01 & 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.
2023-24: Charles Widger '73
2018-19: Dennis C. McAndrews '75 CLAS, '78 CWSL
2013-14: Martin G. McGuinn '64 CLAS, '67 CWSL
2006-07: 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.
2022-23: Angela Boyer '23
2020-21: Sarah Blum '21
2019-20: Christopher Merken '20
2018-19: Lydia Ellsworth '19
2017-18: Pamela Putnam '18
2016-17: Elizabeth Flanagan '17
2015-16: Ian W. Forster '16
2014-15: Christine M. Marcozzi '15
2013-14: Vanessa L. Stine '14
2012-13: Gabrielle M. Gomez '13 & Christopher S. Marques '13
2011-12: John V. Rafferty '12
2010-11: Leila C. Ayachi '11
2009-10: Amy M. Yacorzynski '10
2008-09: Sherry L. Coronas '09
2007-08: Jordan M. Hyatt '08
2006-07: Eileen F. Carroll '07
2005-06: Sonia Lee '06
2004-05: Kelli Babinecz Fiore '05 & Alex G. Isbell
'05
2003-04: Sarah E. (Cox) Lavoie '04
2002-03: Lauren J. (Vidal) Amjed '03
2001-02: Jodi L. Cordeiro '02
2000-01: Matthew S. Heilman '01 & Kelly S. (Urban) Sullivan '97 CPS, '01 JD
1999-00: Sara L. Woods '00
1998-99: Alissa E. Halperin '99
Villanova University
Charles Widger School of Law
299 North Spring Mill Road
Villanova, PA 19085
Email Development
Email Alumni