April 27, 1998 Contact Maureen Shine (541) 346-3145 EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a corrected version. Myers' name was misspelled in the earlier release. EUGENE--Ann Aiken is proof-positive for soon-to-be University of Oregon School of Law graduates that their degrees can open many doors to success. Aiken, a U.S. district judge and graduate of the UO law school, will deliver the keynote address at her alma mater during its annual commencement on Sunday, May 17. The UO law school ceremony, honoring 165 graduates and open to the public, will begin at 1 p.m. in the Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, One Eugene Centre. A reception will follow at the Paul Olum Atrium in Willamette Hall, 1371 E. 13th Ave. on campus. The law school's graduating class selected Aiken as this year's commencement speaker. In addition, the ceremony will include an address by Cheryl Anne Rath, president of the Law Student Bar Association. Also speaking will be Carol Ann Pratt, who was selected by the third-year student body as the graduating class speaker. Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers, a 1964 graduate of the UO School of Law, will receive the 1998 Meritorious Service Award during the ceremony. Myers, 58, a native of Electric Mills, Miss., served in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1975-85 and as speaker of the House from 1979-83. Aiken was appointed U.S. district judge for the District of Oregon in February 1998. Previously, she served as a Lane County Circuit Court judge from 1993-98, as Juvenile Court judge for Lane County from 1996-98 and as a Lane County District Court judge from 1988-93. Before serving on the bench, she practiced law with the Springfield law firm of Thorp, Dennett, Purdy, Golden and Jewett, P.C., and with the Eugene law firm of Sahlstrom and Dugdale, P.C. Aiken also served as chief clerk in the Oregon House of Representatives, as a legislative representative for the Lane County Bar Association and as law clerk to former presiding Lane County Circuit Court Judge Edwin Allen. In addition, Aiken was a law clerk for James Brown, legal counsel to Gov. Robert Straub, and for Lane County Public Defender Services. She served as legislative lobbyist for the Democratic Party of Oregon, a legislative assistant to Congressman Jim Weaver in Washington, D.C., an administrative assistant for the Oregon House of Representatives, an administrative assistant for Oregon's House Majority Whip Al Densmore, and a nurse's aide and ward secretary at Salem Hospital. Aiken is a member of the Lane County and Oregon State bar associations and served on numerous committees and boards including the Governor's Commission on School Funding Reform, the 4J School District Budget Committee, the State of Oregon Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, the advisory board of the Junior League of Lane County and the National Board of Child Advocacy Centers. She is a founder and former board member of Fox Point Pre-School; a former president of the Relief Nursery, where she is a current member of the board of directors; a former director of Oregon Women Lawyers; a former member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges; a former member of the National Board of Child Advocacy Centers; and a current member of the UO School of Law Board of Visitors and the board of directors of the South Eugene High School Golf Club. Aiken is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Eugene Jaycees 1989 Outstanding Young Oregonian for Lane County and Outstanding Young Oregonian awards. She was awarded the Outstanding Service Award as a Lane County district judge in 1993 and received the State of Oregon Commission for Women, Woman of Achievement Award in 1993. In addition, Aiken received the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Program Certificate of Achievement in 1994; the March of Dimes White Rose, Woman of Achievement Award in 1995; and the Outstanding Service Award from the Lane County Bar Association in 1997. A native of Salem, Aiken is a graduate of South Salem High School. She received her bachelor of science degree from the UO in 1974; her master of arts degree in political science from Rutgers University in 1976; and her doctor of jurisprudence degree from the UO School of Law in 1979. Aiken lives in Eugene with her husband James Klonoski, a UO professor emeritus of political science, and their five sons. -30- #P-4086/Local,OrDailies,PDX,OrLAW