Saint Mary's University honors Thomas Kilbride with honorary degree

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, J.D., received a Doctor of Ethical Leadership from Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s University, left; and Michael Gostomski, chair of the Saint Mary’s Board of Trustees, right.

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of 30 years of service and ethical leadership as a committed public servant, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, J.D., a 1978 Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota alumnus, was presented with an honorary doctorate by Saint Mary’s at its commencement ceremony May 10 in Winona.

Justice Kilbride was awarded a Doctor of Ethical Leadership degree, honoris causa, for conscientiously serving the people of the State of Illinois for more than 30 years. His career began as an attorney in Rock Island, Ill., where he engaged in the general practice of law while providing significant pro bono service to clients and organizations. He was elected to the Supreme Court of Illinois for the Third District in 2000 and served as Chief Justice from 2010-13. The award honors him for his “outstanding leadership, professional competence and significant accomplishment.”