2023 Law School Award Recipients

Alumnus of the Year Award
Mark L. Thomsen, Law ’87
Milwaukee, Wis.

During his first year of law school at Marquette, Mark Thomsen took Torts with Professor James Ghiardi, who introduced him to the idea that the common law recognizes individual rights and causes of action to protect people. Mark has centered his legal career of more than 35 years around working for people to enforce and protect their rights while expanding the scope of justice.

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Lifetime Achievement Award
Patricia A. McGowan, Arts ’84, Law ’89
Milwaukee, Wis.

Patricia McGowan says she is sometimes called a “walking billboard” for Marquette when she leaves her house decked in blue and gold. Pat, a former assistant district attorney for Milwaukee County and a trailblazer more generally, now focuses her attention on leadership and service to her community. She is especially devoted to helping young people Be The Difference.

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Howard B. Eisenberg Service Award
Isioma O. Nwabuzor, Arts ’12, Law ’15
Milwaukee, Wis.

Isioma Nwabuzor’s formula for success echoes the tenets of Marquette’s Jesuit mission: People first. Maximum impact. Excellence is the baseline. “It’s always bigger than me”: Her words directly align with Jesuit tenets like cura personalis and Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. It is no surprise, then, how Isioma’s legal career and life have developed.

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Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Alumnus of the Year Award
Andre N. Salhab, Law ’12
Winter Garden, Fla.

As associate general counsel for the Orlando Magic, Andre Salhab has both a vocation and an avocation, combining two of his favorite things — the law and sports. He credits Marquette Law School with giving him the foundation for his success, from the courses he took to his involvement in the National Sports Law Institute to his internships and the people who mentored him along the way.

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