Honors and Awards

Since 1964, NACUA has honored individuals in higher education law. The NACUA honors and awards program is a well-respected and time-honored tradition that ensures the acknowledgement of those who have dedicated their service to advancing the effective practice of higher education attorneys. Honored recipients are conferred awards including: Distinguished Service, First Decade, Life Member, Fellow, and Honorary Member. The Call for Awards is released in February of each year.

NACUA congratulates all honorees who have worked to advance the profession of higher education law. They are honored each year at the annual conference’s Honors and Awards Ceremony.

2011 – 2012 Award Recipients

First Decade Award

• Amy Foerster
  Co-Chair, Higher Education Practice Group, Saul Ewing LLP


• Madelyn Wessel
  Associate General Counsel, University of Virginia

Fellow of the Association

• Robert Kenney Jr.
  Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP


• John Robinson
  Associate Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame

Life Membership

• Susan Bradshaw
  Associate Vice President for Administration & Legal Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, Retired


• Norden Gilbert
  University Counsel and Contracts Administrator, Northern Illinois University, Retired

Distinguished Service Award

• Renee Smith Byas
  General Counsel, Houston Community College System


• Thomas Cline
  Vice President and General Counsel, Northwestern University


• Wayne Richardson
  Consultant, Fairleigh Dickinson University


• Mary Anne Smith
  Vice President and General Counsel, Illinois Institute of Technology


• Edward Stoner, II
  NACUA Life Member