At the beginning of their careers at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, our students receive a law education rooted in ethics and serving with a purpose. These fundamentals are core to our law education. When our students graduate, they continue these principles, serving their profession and communities with the tenets they learned. We are proud of our alumni and honor their accomplishments with these awards.

The Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to the candidate who has practiced law 20 years or more and who has distinguished himself or herself through achievements in the legal profession. Other factors, such as achievements in one's church, occupation or business, are also considered, as well as contributions and service to Duquesne Kline School of Law. However, the focus is on achievement in the legal profession.

Meritorious Service Award

The Meritorious Service Award is presented in recognition of services rendered and contributions made to the Duquesne Kline Law Alumni Association and the School. The focus of this award is on service and commitment.

Outstanding Achievement Award

The Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to the candidate who has practiced law 19 years or less and who has distinguished himself or herself through achievements in the legal profession. Other factors, such as achievements in one's church, occupation or business, are also considered, as well as contributions and service to Duquesne Kline School of Law.

Previous Award Recipients

  • 2021 - Hon. Nicola Henry-Taylor, L'96
  • 2020 - Tina O. Miller, L'93
  • 2019 - Hon. Kim Berkeley Clark, L'83
  • 2018 - Robert DelGreco, L'81
  • 2017 - Hon. Jeffrey A. Manning, L'72
  • 2016 - Gregory W. Kirstein, L'82
  • 2015 - Patricia L. Dodge, L'81
  • 2014 - Mary R. Grealy, L'78
  • 2013 - Angeline C. Straka, L'80
                David B. White, L'82
  • 2012 - The Honorable Arthur E. Grim, L'72
  • 2011 - John L. Doherty, L'66
  • 2010 - James R. Miller, L'72
  • 2009 - S. Michael Streib, L'79
  • 2008 - Thomas R. Kline, L'78
  • 2007 - William S. Schweers, Sr., L'59
  • 2006 - The Honorable Kate Ford Elliott, L'78
  • 2005 - Peter F. Vaira, L'62
  • 2004 - Raymond F. Sekula, L'65
  • 2003 - The Honorable William F. Cercone, L'41
  • 2002 - The Honorable Joy Flowers Conti, L'73
  • 2001 - The Honorable Maureen Lally-Green, L'74
  • 2000 - The Honorable Donetta Ambrose, L'70
  • 1999 - John L. Doherty, L'66
  • 1998 - Linda L. Kelly, L'75
  • 1997 - Sister Melanie DiPietro, S.C. L'75
  • 1996 - Clayton A. Sweeney, L'62
  • 1995 - His Eminence, Adam Cardinal Maida, L'64
  • 1994 - John W. McGonigle, L'65
  • 1993 - The Honorable Donald Lee, L'54
  • 1992 - David J. Armstrong, L'56
  • 1991 - Edward G. O'Connor, L'65
  • 1990 - The Honorable Francis A. Barry, L'51
  • 1986 - The Honorable Carol Los Mansmann, L'63
  • 1985 - Robert E. Colville, L'69
                J. Alan Johnson, L'71
  • 1984 - Alumni Members of the Judiciary
  • 1983 - Kenneth P. Christman, L'38
  • 1982 - Francis A. Devlin, L'51
  • 1981 - Chief Justice Henry X. O'Brien, L'56 (Founder's Award)
  • 1980 - The Honorable William B. Rahauser, L'32
  • 1979 - Gilbert J. Helwig, L'48
  • 1978 - James P. McArdle, L'3
  • 1977 - John Leake Propst, L'40
  • 1976 - Edward I. Goldberg, L'31
  • 1975 - Marcella R. McNanamy, L'29
  • 1974 - Walter J. Blenko, L'24
  • 1973 - T. Robert Brennan, L'34
  • 2021 - John T. Rago, L'87
  • 2020 - Joseph Sabino Mistick, L'79
  • 2019 - Theodore M. Trbovich, L'72
  • 2018 - Ken Davie, L'73
  • 2017 - George M. Janocsko, L'77
  • 2016 - Gino F. Peluso, L'80
  • 2015 - Vincent J. Quatrini, Jr., L'74
  • 2014 - S. Michael Streib, L'79
               Mark D. Yochum, Professor of Law
  • 2012 - Marie Milie Jones, L'87
  • 2011 - Robert N. Peirce, Jr., L'62
  • 2010 - William W. Diefenderfer III, L'73
  • 2009 - Donald J. Guter, L'77
  • 2008 - Robert J. Marino, L'79
  • 2007 - The Honorable Terrence F. McVerry, L'68
  • 2006 - Rodney W. Fink, L'73
  • 2005 - Carol Starr Hesz, L'90
  • 2004 - Lynette A. Norton, L'78 (received posthumously)
  • 2002 - Barbara M. Carlin, L'82
  • 2001 - Paul A. Beck, L'62
  • 2000 - John R. McGinley Jr., L'68
  • 1999 - Mäny Emamzadeh, L'92
  • 1998 - June S. Schulberg, L'69
  • 1997 - Mary Margaret Isabella, L'75
  • 1996 - Peter J. King, L'63
  • 1995 - Jennifer Fox Rabold, L'81
  • 1994 - Chris G. Copetas, L'69 
  • 2021 - Hon. Mary C. McGinley, L'02
  • 2020 - Marla N. Presley, L'03
  • 2019 - Peter D. Giglione, L'02
  • 2018 - Shanicka Kennedy, L'01
  • 2017 - Alka A. Patel, L'01
  • 2016 - Tracey McCants Lewis, L'00
  • 2015 - Travis E. Williams, L'96
  • 2014 - Nicholas J. DeIuliis, L'02
  • 2013 - Kathryn M. Kenyon, L'98
  • 2012 - Brian Keith Parker, L'93
  • 2011 - Eric R. I. Cottle, L'96
  • 2010 - The Honorable Jeffery A. Deller, L'96
  • 2009 - Amelia Michele Joiner, L'02
  • 2008 - Jon R. Perry, L'91
  • 2007 - The Honorable Donald E. Machen, L'87
  • 2006 - The Honorable Dwayne D. Woodruff, L'88
  • 2004 - Senator Jay Costa, L'89
  • 2001 - Jane M. Carlonas, L'91
  • 2000 - Arthur Rooney II, L'82
  • 1999 - Maureen P. Kelly, L'87
  • 1998 - Mark V. Santo, L'92
  • 1997 - James E. Abraham, L'78
  • 1996 - The Honorable Cynthia A. Baldwin, L'80
  • 1995 - Alan N. Braverman, L'75
  • 1994 - The Honorable Timothy K. Lewis, L'80