Thiel Trustee emeritus Nordenberg and honorary degree recipient Ellsworth given peace prize

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College Trustee Emeritus and former Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh Mark A. Nordenberg ’70 H’97 and honorary degree recipient Laura Ellsworth H’24 were recently recognized by Pittsburgh’s Rodef Shalom Congregation with the esteemed Pursuer of Peace Award.

Nordenberg, a luminary in higher education, had been instrumental in transforming the University of Pittsburgh into a world-renowned research institution and revitalizing the City of Pittsburgh. Leading the University of Pittsburgh from 1995 to 2014, Nordenberg also served as the Dean of the Law School at Pittsburgh. His respected leadership has advanced numerous social and economic initiatives across Pittsburgh and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 2021, he was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to chair a panel responsible for redrawing the boundaries of the state’s legislative districts.

Ellsworth, a leading voice in the fight against global prejudice and intolerance, is Jones Day’s pioneering Partner-in-Charge of Global Community Service Initiatives. She co-chairs the Eradicate Hate Global Summit with Nordenberg, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to combating hate-fueled violence and developing global strategies against violent extremism. The Summit, which gathers international experts in Pittsburgh, addresses the prevalence of anti-Semitism, hate speech, and violent extremism. Ellsworth’s dedication to service has also been recognized with the 2018 Coleman Award for excellence in community service from the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics.

The Pursuer of Peace Award, given by the Rodef Shalom Congregation, the oldest and largest Jewish congregation in Western Pennsylvania, acknowledges significant contributions to peace through fostering interfaith understanding, encouraging humanitarianism, and promoting social justice.

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