Nelson to receive Law School award

Former Wisconsin governor and U.S. Sen. Gaylord A. Nelson is the latest recipient of the Law School’s Distinguished Service Award.

Nelson, a 1942 graduate of the law school, is the 57th person to receive the award, created in 1967 as the school’s highest recognition for alumni and faculty. It recognizes outstanding service to the legal profession in private practice, government service or legal education.

Nelson will receive the award on Friday, March 31, at the annual dinner of the Benchers Society, an organization of law school supporters.

A native of Clear Lake, Nelson served in the U.S. Army during World War II, then returned to practice law in Madison. In 1948 he was elected to the state Senate, where he served until his election as governor in 1958. After two gubernatorial terms, Nelson went on to serve 18 years in the U.S. Senate.

Throughout his career, Nelson was a concerned environmentalist. While in the U.S. Senate, Nelson introduced numerous pieces of legislation designed to foster environmental awareness and protection. He created Earth Day as a nationwide teach-in on environmental issues in 1969.