Dr. Mary Frances Berry, '70, has been named the Law School's 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Michigan honored Dr. Berry at an awards ceremony on September 16.

Dr. Berry is widely recognized as one of the nation's most prominent civil rights, gender equality, and social justice activists. Her career spans four decades and includes leadership positions in higher education and government service. She began her career at the University of Maryland’s Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences where she served as interim provost. She became the first black woman to head a major research university as chancellor of the University of Colorado. She served as the Chairperson of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission during four Presidential administrations, and also as the principal education official in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In 2013 she was a recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award from the South African Government for her role in organizing the Free South Africa Movement, which helped to end apartheid. Today, Dr. Berry is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches American legal history.  She is the author of 12 books. Dr. Berry earned a BA from Howard University and PhD and JD degrees from the University of Michigan. She also was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University in May 1997.