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At just 40 years old, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumnus Jeffery LaVicka took the bench this week as one of the youngest federal judges in the nation.

Prior to his lifetime appointment as an administrative law judge in Morgantown, W. Va., LaVicka, a radio-TV-film major, served as an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice. He will be among the nine UW Oshkosh alumni honored during an annual awards dinner held Friday, Oct. 22, as apart of Homecoming 2010 activities.

LaVicka earned his law degree from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock School of Law.  He served many volunteer assignments, including reviewing hundreds of thousands of FBI documents and interviews in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.

In his own words …

Activities/ hobbies:
Travel, community service, home remodeling, piano, guitar and Spanish.

Professional associations:

American Bar Association, American Inns of Court.

Volunteer work:
Rotary International, Access Schools, Law School Alumni Board of Directors, Law School Moot Court Judge.

What does your UWO education mean to you?
I appreciate the relationships I developed with my professors who emphasized learning for understanding and mastery and who challenged me to do my best. I value the opportunities for leadership I was afforded as a community adviser, and I know my interest in community service grew because of the many activities in which I was involved. I am grateful to have worked with Residence Hall Director Marc Nylen whose positive attitude in the face of challenges taught me to look for solutions instead of problems. These foundational elements of my UWO experience gave me many of the skills I draw upon frequently in my professional career as I seek to make sound decisions, balance competing interests, and serve my community in a positive, productive manner.

What advice would you give today’s UWO students?
Whatever you do, whatever your accomplishments or setbacks, if you wake up every day and are proud of who you are and for what you stand, you will be successful.


Learn more about Homecoming 2010.

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