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Alumni Awards

Distinguished Alumni Award

Sponsored by the University of San Diego School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the school's highest honor bestowed upon alumni.

2025daacutThe award is presented to law school alumni who have distinguished themselves in the legal field or other chosen profession at an exemplary level and who embody the high ethical standards and commitment to community service the USD School of Law seeks to instill in its graduates.

Each spring, a nominating committee considers candidates for the award and a recipient or recipients are selected by the committee and then approved by the Law Alumni Association Board of Directors.

To submit information on a prospective candidate, please email the Office of Alumni Relations or call (619) 260-4692. You may also submit an online nomination form. 2026 nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026.

In the fall of the same year, the award or awards are presented at a ceremonial luncheon honoring the recipient or recipients.

Since its inception in 1977, 94 law school alumni have received the Distinguished Alumni Award.

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2025 Award Recipients

Erik J. Greupner '04 (JD)

Hon. Sharon L. Kalemkiarian '89 (JD)

Rising Star Recent Alumni Award

The USD School of Law and the Law Alumni Association Board of Directors present the Rising Star Recent Alumni Award to alumni who have graduated within the past ten years and have made significant achievements in the legal profession, or chosen field, and demonstrated a high level of community involvement.

Each spring, the nominating committee of the Law Alumni Association Board of Directors considers candidates for the Distinguished Alumni Award and Rising Star Recent Alumni Award and recipients are selected by the committee and then approved by the Law Alumni Association Board of Directors. In the fall of the same year, the awards are presented at a luncheon honoring the recipients.

To submit information on a prospective candidate, please email the Office of Alumni Relations or call (619) 260-4692. You may also submit an online nomination form. 2026 nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Since its inception in 2011, 28 law school alumni have received the Rising Star Recent Alumni Award.

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2025 Award Recipients

Vivian A. Adame '17 (JD)

James Hurt '16 (JD)

Author E. Hughes Achievement Award

Author E. HughesOriginated in 1995, the Author E. Hughes Career Achievement Awards are named in honor of President Emeritus Author E. Hughes. His outstanding achievements over his 24 years as president and his commitment to excellence mirror the extraordinary accomplishments of the fifty-plus honorees who proudly wear the medallion bearing his name. The award is presented annually to an alumnus/a from each of the five schools of the university.

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Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill Award

Mother Rosalie HillIn honor of the Reverend Mother Rosalie Clifton Hill, the university's Mother Rosalie Hill Award is presented annually to a university-wide alumnus/a who personifies the spirit and philosophy of the University of San Diego. Since 1991, the inaugural year the award was granted, there have only been two law school recipients.

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2021 Recipient

Ronson J. Shamoun '98 (BA), '02 (JD), '03 (LLM)

Adjunct professor, School of Law and School of Business, School of Law Board of Visitors and School of Business Board of Advisors

Shamoun is the founder and CEO of RJS LAW, A Tax Law Firm. Shamoun and his experienced team of attorneys specialize in all areas of tax law including, international tax, estate planning, bankruptcy, and criminal law.

In 2016, Shamoun co-founded the nationally acclaimed University of San Diego School of Law – RJS LAW Tax Controversy Institute. The Institute is the premier tax controversy event in San Diego and brings together the region’s top tax attorneys, CPAs, and Law and Business School professors to discuss topics including federal and state tax strategies, tax penalties, and criminal tax matters. It is an event that allows the entire tax community to come together to learn, network, and grow as tax professionals, all while raising money for various programs at the law school.

In 2017, Shamoun was recognized with the School of Law’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Shamoun has also served on numerous professional, civic and legal committees, and is an advocate and ally for education. He has established annual scholarships at both the School of Law and the School of Business to encourage student success and the growth of our community.

1992 Recipient

Sister Sally Furay '72 (JD)

Adjunct professor of law and School of Law legal clinic supervisor (1973-1993), Vice president and provost of the University of San Diego (1972-1996)

Sister Sally Furay served as USD's vice president and provost for 25 years. She started teaching literature and drama at USD's College for Women prior to its merger with the College for Men and the School of Law. While serving as the academic dean of the College for Women, she became interested in the legal aspects of college administration and decided to attend USD's School of Law.

Sister Furay has served on numerous professional, civic and legal committees, including as a member of the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Bar Association, vice president of the San Diego County Bar Association, chair of Senator Boxer's Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee for the Southern District of California, the first woman president of the Western College Association and board chair of the National Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

Bishop Charles Francis Buddy Award

Bishop BuddyThe Bishop Charles Francis Buddy Award is presented annually to an alumnus/alumna who graduated from the University of San Diego ten or more years ago, in recognition of their extraordinary contribution to humanitarian causes. Since 1991, the inaugural year the award was granted, there have only been two law school recipients.

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2017 Recipient

A. Barry La Forgia ’76 (JD)

2012 Recipient

Dr. Joseph Ghougassian ’77 (MA), ’80 (JD)