Law School Honors Alumni,
Great Turn out for Weekend of Alumni Events

May 2, 2006

Alumni Honorees (left to right): Dean Jack Guttenberg, Jo Barrett, P’73; Lisa Eschleman, L’87; Josiah H. Blackmore II, H’86, H’98; Terri T. Botsko, L’91; Michele L. Noble, L’00; President of the Alumni Association Gunther K. Lahm, L’87

The Capital University Law School Office of Alumni Relations & Development held Alumni Weekend April 28-29. Approximately 300-400 alumni returned to take part in a variety of events, including the Alumni Awards Luncheon, All Alumni/Bar Success Reception, Golf Outing at Foxfire Golf Club, Alumni Judges & Magistrates Wall of Honor Rededication, Donor Wall Dedication and Philanthropy Celebration Dinner.

“The purpose of Alumni Weekend is to reunite Capital law alumni with each other and with the Law School. It is also is a wonderful time to celebrate and recognize all of our alumni's successes,” said Jill Hillman, associate director of alumni relations.

The weekend’s festivities began with an Alumni Awards Luncheon at The Columbus Renaissance Hotel. Nearly 200 alumni attended and celebrated as the Alumni Association recognized a number of outstanding alumni. The awards presented this year were:

Young Alumnus of the Year – Michele L. Noble, L’00

Alumni Outstanding Service Award – Terri T. Botsko, L’91

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – The Hon. Michael H. Watson, L’87, H’05

Josiah H. Blackmore II Dean’s Award – Josiah H. Blackmore II, H’86, H’98

The Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award has been awarded for several years. The other three awards were created this year as part of the ongoing strategic planning that has taken place for the alumni association and as a way to reach out to alumni and recognize more of their successes.

Recipients of awards presented earlier in the year also were recognized:

John W. McCormac Award – Jo Barrett, P’73

Moot Court Alumnus of the Year Award –Lisa Eschleman, L’87

David D. White Award – Patsy A. Thomas, L’94

Rededication of Alumni Judges & Magistrates Wall in Room 208. Left to right: Judge Michael J. Holbrook, L’83; Magistrate Janie D. Roberts, L’85; Judge Monte C. White, L’70; Magistrate Tina M. Boyer, L’94; Judge Jennifer L. Brunner, L’83; Judge Christine Lippe, L’86; Magistrate Kathleen Graham, P’77, L’82; Dean Jack Guttenberg

Alumni also took part in a cocktail reception on Friday evening to celebrate the success of CULS alumni who have passed recent state bar exams. The Ohio Supreme Court released the results of the February 2006 Ohio Bar Exam that day. The Alumni Office has begun a tradition of celebrating the success of Capital’s alumni who pass the bar on the day exam results are released.

The Capital University Law School Alumni Judges & Magistrates Wall of Honor in Room 208 was first dedicated on Law Day 2000. The Law School added 32 new alumni judges and magistrates to the wall at a rededication ceremony held on Saturday. Capital is proud of its distinguished alumni and their exemplary service to the judicial system — serving in courts at all levels of government, not just in Ohio, but throughout the country. The Law School estimates that among its 6,300 living JD alumni, more than 130 are judges or magistrates.

A new donor wall in the second floor lobby was dedicated on Saturday as well. This new donor wall recognizes lifetime members of the Dean’s Council and annual members of the Dean’s Circle. The Dean's Council was established in 1983 to permanently recognize the exceptional generosity of individuals who have contributed to the continued vitality and growth of the law school. Effective June 1, 2002, donors may achieve membership in the Dean's Council with cumulative lifetime giving of $50,000 or more in support of the law school. Membership to the Dean's Circle consists of donors who have given $1,000 or more annually, within any given fiscal year.