Photo Albums

Morris Dees, co-founder and chief trial lawyer for the Southern Poverty Law Center, was the recipient of the 2009 Senior Peck Medal for excellence in law. Dees gave a public lecture about his career fighting discrimination and representing victims of hate crime before attending the Peck Banquet.

Wabash alumnus Scott Himsel ’85 (right) is a practicing attorney, teaches political science at Wabash, and is the College's Pre-Law Advisor. He also spearheaded this year's Peck Banquet, which honored Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center (left).

Morris Dees is congratulated on winning the Peck Medal for excellence in law by Wabash President Pat White. Dees said, "I accept this award on behalf of the many people who have worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center over the last 40 years."

Senior Sean Clerget received the Junior Peck Medal for his excellence as a pre-law student. Clerget has had a remarkable Wabash career — earning distinction on his comprehensive exams, serving as scholarship chairman for his fraternity, captaining the tennis team, editing The Phoenix, and working a summer internship for Indiana Senator Richard Lugar.

Alumnus Jon Pactor (center) presents the James E. Bingham Award to seniors Jay Horrey and John Higgens. Horrey is a Dean's List political science major, served as president of the Thomas Riley Marshall College Democrats, and is Wabash's all-time leader in tennis victories. Higgens is a Dean's List economics major who established and runs his own extreme sports company.

Alumnus Jim Dimos ’83 (right) presents the William Nelson White Scholarship to Jonathon Edwards. The award is presented on the basis of scholarship, personal integrity, and understanding of the practice of law. Edwards is a philosophy major who participated in Moot Court and Student Senate.

Alumnus Don Bennett ’69 presented te Joseph J. Daniels Award in Constitutional Law to senior Neil Cook. Cook is a Dean's List student majoring in German and minoring in history. The award honors the outstanding student taking the Constitutional Law course at Wabash.

Morris Dees spoke briefly after receiving the Peck Medal at Monday's banquet.

Alumnus Al McLaughlin ’79 opened the evening by talking about the accomplishments of alumni David W. Peck ’22 and John P. Collett ’24. Collett, who was Chair of the Wabash Board of Trustees, established the Peck Awards Banquet in 1974 to honor his old and dear friend David Peck.

Don Bennett ’69, who presented the Daniels Award in Constitutional Law, made a few jokes at Scott Himsel's expense. The two are partners at the Indianapolis firm of Baker and Daniels.

Wabash's senior pre-law students pose for a photo with their advisor, Scott Himsel ’85.