Alvernia honors Linda Ludgate at President's Dinner

READING, PA (10/18/2013)(readMedia)--  Alvernia University bestowed its Franciscan Award on the Honorable Linda Ludgate, Class of 1977 at its annual Presidents Dinner in October,

The Franciscan Award honors individuals who selflessly give of their time, talents, and resources for the betterment of others and is presented for exceptional service to the university, the community, and the individuals' professions.

In the mid-1970s, Linda Ludgate was a married mother of four, who wanted to finish her undergraduate degree. Other institutions expressed no interest in enrolling a 30-year-old homemaker, telling her she was too old to go to college and that she didn't need to complete her education because she had a husband with a job. But she found a home at Alvernia, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in social work and criminal justice. After obtaining her J.D. from Temple University School of Law, Ludgate worked for legal services and then as a public defender before opening a general practice. With experience in family law, criminal law, civil law and orphan's courts, Ludgate became a judge in 1990 where she served for 23 years as a trial judge in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas and as an active member of the International Association of Women Judges since 1991. She recently retired but continues to serve as a senior judge.

"Judge Linda Ludgate is a model of civility and fairness in the law," said Alvernia Board Chair Joanne Judge of Stevens & Lee, P.C. "She has been a shining example for female professionals throughout this community and a staunch defender of the underserved. She has helped to break down barriers not only for women, but for all who are marginalized. Everything she does, she does with passion. And she does it all with a wicked sense of humor."

ALVERNIA is a thriving university that empowers students through real-world learning to discover their passion for life, while providing the education to turn what they love into lifetimes of career success and personal fulfillment, helping them make the world a better place.

Situated on a scenic 121-acre suburban campus in historic Berks County, Pa., the university of more than 3,000 students is conveniently located near Philadelphia (60 miles) and within an easy drive of New York, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. With a College of Arts and Sciences and College of Professional Studies, Alvernia today offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and minors and a range of graduate programs at the master's and doctoral levels through its School of Graduate and Adult Education. Satellite sites are located in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County. As one of only 22 Franciscan institutions in the country, Alvernia's focus on caring for each other, the environment and the community are joined with a challenging educational experience to provide an unparalleled environment to grow, develop and mature as a person and professional.