Professor Jeffrey Rosen and Associate Dean Lisa M. Schenck were recently awarded honorary degrees from Widener University and Providence College, respectively.
Professor Rosen was Widener University's graduate commencement speaker this year. On May 19, he received an honorary doctor of law degree for his accomplishments and records of service. Professor Rosen, who is also the CEO of the National Constitution Center, partnered with Widener in November when the university launched its Common Ground Initiative.
During the graduate ceremony, Professor Rosen offered the nearly 700 master's and doctoral students a piece of sage advice: "Never stop learning. It's a philosophy that was embraced by America's founders as essential for maintaining a healthy republic." He told the graduates, "Now is the time to devote yourself to a lifetime of self-education, not only for professional success, but to further your development as a human being and as a citizen."
Dean Schenck received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from her alma mater, Providence College on May 20. The college's president, Father Brian Shanley, recognized her distinguished career as a military jurist, legal scholar, and educator. Dean Schenck earned a bachelor's degree from Providence College which she attended on a ROTC scholarship. She was one of the first women commissioned through the college's program.
When Dean Schenck retired at the rank of Colonel after 25 years of military service, she was serving as the first woman appointed Senior Judge of the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals. Following her retirement, Dean Schenck became the senior adviser to the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services. Father Shanley noted that her accomplishments, while working in the highest levels of the military system of justice, exemplify the character and commitment of generations of alumni who have answered the call to serve and are a credit to the college.
In her second career, Dean Schenck brought her experience, insights, and intellect to legal education and scholarly pursuits. Her students both at West Point, where she was Chief of the Administrative and Civil Law division and earned the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Scholastic Achievement Award, and also at GW Law have benefited from her scholarship. Father Shanley pronounced Dean Schenck's "exemplary career, meritorious commitment to service and personal integrity to reflect the highest ideals of Providence College."
Previously, Dean Schenck received the George Washington University Robert A. Chernak Spark a Life Award for Staff Member of the Year in 2015, presented to one university staff member for significant impact on a student organization, and in 2014, she received the George Washington University Valor Excellence Award for demonstrated excellence in learning and service to the benefit of GW student military members, veterans and their families.