Leon Corbett receives highest honor at WFU convocation

By Rachel Cook
February 27, 2003

Wake Forest University presented its highest honor, the Medallion of Merit, to former university administrator Leon H. Corbett Jr. during Founders’ Day Convocation Feb. 27. Wake Forest President Thomas K. Hearn Jr. presented the award during the ceremony in Wait Chapel that featured speaker Bill Bradley, former U.S. senator, best-selling author and Basketball Hall of Fame member.

Several other university awards were also presented during the ceremony.

An attorney, Corbett formerly was vice president and counsel at Wake Forest, as well as secretary to the board of trustees. He retired in 2002, after serving as the university’s chief legal counsel since 1979.

Corbett joined the university in 1968 as a member of the faculty at the Wake Forest School of Law. He remained a professor of law while holding a number of administrative positions at the university, including acting dean and associate dean of the School of Law.

Originally from Burgaw in Pender County, Corbett received his bachelor’s degree in 1959 and his law degree in 1961 at Wake Forest.

University awards for teaching and research were also presented during
convocation.

Sylvain Boko, assistant professor of economics, was awarded the Kulynych Family Omicron Delta Kappa Award for Contribution to Student Life. Peter Siavelis, associate professor of political science, received the Reid-Doyle Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Richard Manderville, associate professor of chemistry, received the Award for Excellence in Research. Gary Shoesmith, professor of economics in the Babcock Graduate School of Management, was awarded the Kienzle Teaching Award. Jeff Smith, associate professor of management in the Babcock Graduate School of Management, received the Cowan Faculty Research Prize. Margaret Taylor, professor of law, was awarded the Joseph Branch Excellence in Teaching Award.