Notre Dame Law Association Bestows Awards

On October 3, 2008, the Notre Dame Law Association (NDLA) presented awards to three Notre Dame alumni for their distinguished service to the University, the Law School, and the profession.

John Crowley, a 1992 Law School alum, received the Edward Murphy Award “for embodying the high moral and religious values Notre Dame represents, for devotion to faith and family, and for exhibiting professional excellence.” After two of Crowley’s three children were diagnosed with a debilitating and often fatal disease, Pompe Disease, he went on to lead a biotechnology company that would focus on developing treatments for Pompe. His efforts are the subject of a book written by a Pulitzer-prize winning author, and a movie about the struggle to save his children is in the works. “The three years studying at Notre Dame taught me what it means to be a citizen and, most importantly, about choosing right over wrong, especially when ‘right’ seemed so difficult,” says Crowley. “This foundation would serve [our family] well in the future.”

Darrell Gordon received the St. Yves Award “for devoting substantial time and effort in the area of social justice.” Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame in 1988 and a master’s from the University in 1989. He went on to attend law school at Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Gordon is CEO of the Wernle Children’s Home in Richmond, Ind. Wernle is a non-profit residential and community-based treatment facility for behaviorally and emotionally challenged males, ages six through 21. Under Gordon’s leadership, the Wernle Home has had remarkable success in turning around troubled youth, and has received awards from the Indiana juvenile court system for its achievements. In 2005, Wernle received the Achievement of Excellence Non-Profit of the Year Award from the Richmond/Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

John “Jack” Sandner graduated from Notre Dame Law School in 1968, and was honored with the Father Michael McCafferty Award for his distinguished service to the University of Notre Dame and his generous and outstanding contributions to the Notre Dame Law School. Sandner, a member of the University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees, was the longest-serving chairman of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He is a man of great faith and of great philanthropy. His major gift to the Kresge Law Library enabled the Law School to acquire the Chicago Bar Association’s library collection, which significantly enhanced Kresge’s volume at a critical time in the law school’s history.

To learn more about the Notre Dame Law Association, visit /alumni/notre-dame-law-association