Government Service and Legal Service Awards available for Pitt Law graduating students
The Dick Thornburgh Forum for Law and Public Policy is pleased to present the The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service each year to a graduating Law School student whose goal is to pursue a career in government service, whether at the local, county, state, federal or international level. Mr. Rose was one of Pennsylvania’s most esteemed leaders in legal, political, and civic affairs at all levels and a longtime advisor to Governor Thornburgh. Mr. Rose, who passed away on July 20, 2012, was a partner at the law firm of Rose, Schmidt, Hasley and Disalle for two decades and later served as a director and executive committee member of the Cohen and Grigsby law firm from 1989 to 2009. Beyond his tireless service in the legal community, his political advice was immensely valued. He was a mentor and counselor to Governors Tom Corbett, Tom Ridge, and Dick Thornburgh, who was his classmate at Yale University and with whom he studied at the Pitt School of Law.
Mr. Rose also served on the Pitt Board of Trustees for 26 years, where he contributed to the Executive, Audit, Budget, Compensation, Health Sciences, Institutional Advancement, and Nominating committees, and he served on the Boards of Visitors of the School of Law, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, and the Learning Research and Development Center. In addition to receiving the Trustee Medallion for his contributions on the Pitt board, Mr. Rose was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Bicentennial Medallion of Distinction.
In tandem with The J. Evans Rose Prize for Government Service, The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service is awarded annually to a graduating Law School student who has provided legal assistance to low-income individuals through a legal services organization (i.e. Neighborhood Legal Services Association, Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc., etc.) while in law school and intends to continue in such service.
Dick Thornburgh, who passed away on December 31, 2020, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1957. The Class ‘57 is a remarkable group many of whose members went on to become judges, educators, and high-profile attorneys. Of those dedicating their careers to public service, the most well-known is Dick Thornburgh -- former two-term Pennsylvania Governor and Attorney General of the United States serving both Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. Dick Thornburgh, early in his career, made the decision to accept the challenges of legal services as well, serving as an incorporator and charter Board Member of Neighborhood Legal Services Association of Pittsburgh.
These awards will be granted to outstanding graduating law students each year.
The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service, will be presented to a student whose goal is to pursue a career in government service, whether at the local, county, state, federal or international level.
The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service, will be presented to a student who has worked in the field of legal services for low-income individuals through a legal services organization (i.e. Neighborhood Legal Services Association, Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc., etc.) while in law school and intends to continue on this career path.
The selection process and criteria for each of these one-time financial awards of $5000 is determined by the Dean of the School of Law in consultation with Mr. Thornburgh and presented in the month of May.
Eligibility requirements, dates to apply, and application submission process:
THE J. EVANS ROSE, JR. PRIZE FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Eligibility requirements:
- Graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in May 2024.
- Has worked in the field of government interest while in law school and intends to continue in this career path whether at the local, county, state, federal or international level.
- Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to government service.
- Note: You do not have to reside in Pennsylvania following graduation to be eligible.
Applications may be submitted from September 8, 2023 through December 11, 2023.
Recipient will be announced by January 15, 2024. Prize will be given in May 2024.
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THE DICK THORNBURGH PRIZE FOR LEGAL SERVICE
Eligibility requirements:
- Graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in May 2024.
- Has worked in the field of legal services for low-income individuals through a legal services organization while in law school and intends to continue in this career path.
- Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to legal service.
- Note: You do not have to reside in Pennsylvania following graduation to be eligible.
Applications may be submitted from December 11, 2024 through March 15, 2024.
Recipient will be announced the week of April 15, 2024. Prize will be given in May 2024.
Apply through the PittLawWorks link and include the following:
- A cover letter indicating post-graduation plans along with interest and commitment to government and legal assistance services. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Dick Thornburgh Forum for Law & Public Policy and the Dean of Pitt Law.
- A current resume.
Kaleigh Dryden - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service - 2023.
Alexander Dettwyler - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service - 2022.
Katherine Andrews - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2022.
Gabriella Reber - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service - 2021.
Brianna Bell - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2021.
Yemi Olaiya - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2021.
Krista Gobolny Ebbert - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service - 2020.
Dolly Prabhu - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2020.
Molly K. Dunlop - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service - 2019
Joshua M. Davis - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2019
Rondell Jordan - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service - 2018
Adam Shirer - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service - 2018
Allison Hall - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2018
*Special thanks to Pitt Law for providing the support to fund a second J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service for 2018.
Zoe M. Reyes - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Government Service- 2017
S. Marisa Rodrigues - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2017
Neil Devlin - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Public Service - 2016
Bethany Fisher - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2016
Casey Martinez - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Public Service - 2015
Elizabeth Cook - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2015
David Coogan - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Public Service - 2014
Elizabeth Orton - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2014
Marco Attisano - The J. Evans Rose, Jr. Prize for Public Service - 2013
Jennifer Saint-Preux - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2013
Joanne Kilgour - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2012
Max Walko - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Public Service - 2012
Jillian Wein – The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2011
Amanda Meighan – The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2010
Julia Moore – The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2009
Melissa Pansiri - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2008
Richard Fuschino, Jr. - The Dick Thornburgh Prize for Legal Service - 2007
Message from the Governor
The Forum was established at the late Dick Thornburgh’s Law School alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. In connection with the Dick Thornburgh Papers held by the University's Hillman Library, the Forum reflects his experiences in public life. It is in intended to foster discourse on issues vital to the preservation of our democratic system and the Rule of Law upon which that system depends.
Special thanks are due to Chancellor Emeritus Mark Nordenberg who serves as the Director of the Dick Thornburgh Forum and has been unstinting in support of this effort since its inception. In addition, many others have provided time, resources and dedication to this undertaking.
