Trustee Emeritus Sol Linowitz given top civilian honor

Sol M. Linowitz, left, talks with President Clinton Jan. 15 after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. AP/Wide World Photos

By Darryl Geddes

Cornell Trustee Emeritus Sol M. Linowitz was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the nation's highest civilian honor -- by President Bill Clinton in a White House ceremony Jan. 15.

Linowitz, along with David Rockefeller (who also received a medal), is a founder and a former chair of the International Executive Service Corps (IESC). A volunteer program that sends American executives to provide managerial and technical expertise to developing countries, IESC has launched more than 10,000 service projects.

Linowitz's notable record of public service includes being a former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States (1966-1969), a co-negotiator of the Panama Canal treaties and, later, President Carter's ambassador-at-large for Middle East negotiations (1979-1981). During his career, he also has been a highly successful businessman and lawyer, having served as chairman and general counsel of Xerox Corp.; a director of Time Inc., Pan Am and the Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York; and partner and senior counsel with the international law firm of Coudert Brothers.

"From the law office to the boardroom to the arena of international politics, Sol Linowitz has lived a life of remarkable accomplishment," said Cornell President Hunter Rawlings. "But it is the application of his talents to helping others that has earned him the respect, affection and gratitude of people throughout the world.

"Cornell University applauds Mr. Linowitz on this fitting tribute -- the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Rawlings said.

Linowitz was awarded a L.L.B. from the Cornell Law School in 1938. His service to Cornell has spanned more than three de>cades. He was appointed to the Cornell Board of Trustees in 1966 by Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and remained on the board until 1995, when he was named a trustee emeritus. He served on various trustee committees, including the Committee on Board Membership and the Committee on Academic Affairs and Campus Life. In addition, he was a member of the university's Campaign Advisory Council, Major Gifts Committee and the University Council. And he currently serves as a Presidential Councilor.

Linowitz has been especially giving of his time to the Cornell Law School. Linowitz is an emeritus member of the Law School Advisory Council, a former member of the Law School Campaign Steering Committee and past president of the Law Association.

"This tribute is richly deserved," said Russell K. Osgood, the Allan R. Tessler Dean of the Cornell Law School. "Sol Linowtiz is a thoughtful observer of the legal scene and has been a committed public servant, particularly in the facilitation of the peace process in the Middle East.

"His most recent book [The Betrayed Profession] was a critique of what might be seen as the selfishness of the legal profession and a thoughtful set of suggestions of how the legal order and lawyers might redirect their thinking to be more in line with the larger public interest."

In June 1991 Linowitz delivered one of Cornell's most prestigious lectures, the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Address at Reunion.

Linowitz's affiliation with Cornell also extends to his family: his wife, Evelyn Zimmerman, and two of his four daughters, Anne Mozersky and Ronni Jolles, all received their undergraduate degrees here.

In addition to Linowitz and Rockefeller, 13 other distinguished individuals were honored Jan. 15 at the White House.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established by President Kennedy by executive order on Feb. 22, 1963. Recipients receive a medal and a citation signed by the president.