William Horlick Neukom (Doctor of Humane Letters)

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WILLIAM HORLICK NEUKOM, as one of our nation’s most respected legal minds and a philanthropist of unique vision and impact, we are humbled by your lifelong dedication to values that shaped your time at Dartmouth and guided your impressive journey beyond.

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William Neukom ’64 received an honorary degree from Dartmouth at its 2015 Commencement Ceremony. (Photo by Rob Strong ’04)

Your life and career have been defined by a deep-rooted commitment to integrity, inclusiveness, and the greater good served by the rule of law. For nearly 25 years, your work as executive vice president and chief legal officer at Microsoft helped the company navigate uncharted, turbulent waters at the confluence of emerging technology and the law, including one of the most important antitrust cases of the 20th century. As president of the American Bar Association, you were widely lauded for your unflinching pursuit of justice—a passion that would move you to create the World Justice Project, embodying your abiding dedication to fairness and opportunity for all.  

Applying these values and an inherent sense of diplomacy to your service on our Board of Trustees, your chairmanship was noted for increasing the board’s effectiveness and finding common ground among fellow trustees. In the years since, your guidance as an alumnus has been profound, providing the inspiration and opportunity for our faculty and students to apply the power and potential of computational science against some of the most formidable challenges facing humankind.

For your many contributions to the pursuit of justice; for exemplifying with distinction and courage the character and wisdom of a true citizen leader; and for remaining steadfast in your devotion to strengthening our beloved institution, Dartmouth College takes great pleasure in awarding you the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. 

President Philip J. Hanlon
Dartmouth College

 

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