March 22, 2018

Law School Salutes Senator Betsy Johnson and More

The Distinguished Honors dinner honored a renown Oregon leader, a beloved professor and two young alums working in the community.

The Lewis & Clark Law School Distinguished Honors dinner held last month brought alums and faculty together to salute a renown Oregon leader, a beloved professor and two young alums working in the community.

Senator Betsy Johnson’77 was honored as the 2018 Distinguished Graduate for her many contributions to improve Oregon communities. Introducing Senator Johnson, Kerry Tymchuk of the Oregon Historical Society called her an Oregon treasure. Serving her third term in the Oregon Senate and in leadership positions on the Ways and Means Committee, Senator Johnson has guided the legislature through many difficult issues over the years. She is especially proud to have championed legislation that created the Oregon Department of Aviation.

Beloved contracts and entertainment law professor, Doug Newell received The Distinguished Honorary Graduate Award, in recognition of his commitment to the law school and his students.

In honor of Professor Newell’s award, one of his former students, Dan Harmon ’85 surprised the crowd by announcing a matching gift of $100,000 to augment the Doug Newell Scholarship Fund.  The gift matches future gifts dollar for dollar and adds a significant boost to Newell Scholarship endowment, benefiting law students for years to come.

The Recent Graduate Rising Star Award was awarded to Michael Hsu ’11.

Ashlee Albies ’05 received the Recent Graduate Community Spirit Award.