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Allegheny College alumnus and trustee emeritus Jack Mandel received the college’s President’s Medallion during a ceremony on Oct. 7, 2016. The President’s Medallion celebrates the best of liberal arts education by recognizing individuals of distinction and national stature who are themselves graduates of liberal arts colleges.

Mandel, Allegheny Class of 1958, served as a judge in the Superior Court of Orange County, Calif., for 19 years, until his retirement. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Arizona and an undergraduate law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Mandel has made it possible for dozens of students from Orange County to attend Allegheny College. In 2008 Henry T. Nicholas III and Mandel established the first Nicholas Academic Center. Two Nicholas Academic Centers in Santa Ana, Calif., now provide students with academic tutoring, social services, cultural enrichment programs, college connection opportunities and scholarship opportunities.

Mandel serves as chairman of the board of the Henry T. Nicholas Educational Foundation and was its first executive director. More than 725 students have gone on to college — most attending top schools — with the foundation’s help.

“The record shows that, since he graduated from Allegheny in 1958, no one has been busier doing good than Jack Mandel — and generations of young people who owe their success to his love and encouragement and faith in their promise are the best testimony to that fact,” said James H. Mullen, Jr., Allegheny president, in presenting the medallion to Mandel.

Prior to the award presentation, Mandel and his wife, Judy, were honored at a ceremony dedicating engraved bricks installed in the courtyard of the Patricia Bush Tippie Alumni Center. The bricks display messages of gratitude from many of the “judge’s kids” who attended Allegheny with Mandel’s support and assistance. (See a photo from the brick ceremony above).

Long known for his philanthropy, Mandel is the recipient of numerous awards. He has received the Bank of America’s Local Hero Award, the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the California Judges Association, the George Washington Award from the Freedom Foundation, the Volunteer of the Year from the Los Angeles Times, and many others. Allegheny College also recognized him in 2008 with its Alumni Medal, the college’s oldest award. Mandel joined the college’s Board of Trustees in 1977.