The Law Alumni Board held its highly anticipated 42nd annual Alumni Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at the elegant Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The event was a momentous occasion that celebrated the remarkable achievements and contributions of six distinguished alumni who have made a significant impact in the legal profession and their communities.
The Board recognized Bethiah (Beth) Crane ’79 with the William Lee Knous Award, Betty Nordwind ’71 with the Distinguished Achievement in Public Service Award, Jennifer Evans ’98 with the Distinguished Achievement in Private Practice Award, Congressman Joseph Neguse ’09 with the Distinguished Achievement – Special Recognition Award, and Donald S. Quick ’86 with the Distinguished Achievement Judiciary Award.
Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss presented an award as well, naming Bill Callison ’82 as the inaugural recipient of the Brooke Wunnicke Outstanding Mentor Award.
Watch the full event and view the photo gallery.
The evening was filled with excitement and camaraderie as alumni, faculty, staff, students, and esteemed guests gathered to honor the awardees and celebrate their achievements. The event kicked off with a cocktail reception and special expo, highlighting various departments, organizations, and programs at the law school including the legal clinics, the Korey Wise Innocence Project, our Council for Racial Justice and Equity, the Career Development Office, the American Indian Law Program, and the Byron White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law. As attendees learned about what’s happening today at the law school, they mingled and reconnected with old friends and colleagues, sharing fond memories, and catching up on recent developments in their careers.
Then attendees made their way to the ballroom for dinner and the awards program, which was hosted by our illustrious dean as well as current Law Alumni Board Chair Michael Carrigan ’94 and Law Alumni Banquet Chair, Caitlin McHugh ’12.
“I am so happy to celebrate this community and this wonderful school that has done so much for all of us,” reflected Carrigan as he welcomed the crowd. “Tonight we are celebrating six amazing award recipients who exemplify the very best of CU Law!”
Attendees were proud to also recognize members of the federal and Colorado judiciary, elected officials, and other esteemed members of the Colorado legal community with enthusiastic applause.
One by one, the awardees were called to the stage to receive their well-deserved recognition. The atmosphere was filled with pride and admiration as each honoree's achievements were highlighted, and their accomplishments were applauded by the audience.
The first award of the evening, the inaugural Brooke Wunnicke Outstanding Mentor Award, was presented to Bill Callison ’82 by law school Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss. "I am grateful to present the Dean's Choice Award which goes to Bill Callison for his devotion to legal practice, menotirng, and commitment to help other lawyers," Inniss said to the cheering crowd.
Michael Carrigan then returned to the stage to present the Law Alumni Board’s Distinguished Achievement Awards. Jennifer Evans ’98 received the Board’s Distinguished Achievement for Private Practice Award.
Congressman Joseph Neguse ’09 was presented the Board’s Distinguished Achievement – Special Recognition Award.
Betty Nordwind ’71 was presented with the Distinguished Achievement for Public Service Award.
The Honorable Donald S. Quick ’86 received the Board’s Distinguished Achievement in the Judiciary Award.
Taking a brief pause from the presentation of awards, attendees were treated to a fireside chat with two of the current Leaders in Law and Community (LILAC) Fellows, Larrisa Alire ’23 and Jemil Kassahun ’24. Caitlin McHugh spoke to Larissa and Jemil about their experience at the law school, their goals for after graduation, and the impact of the LILAC Fellowship program. Their participation was one of the major highlights of the evening, according to many who attended.
The final award of the evening—the William Lee Knous Award— was presented by Dean Inniss to Bethiah (Beth) Crane ’79.