The Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award - 2015: Hon. Alex M. Calabrese ’75

The Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., Award, named in honor of Notre Dame’s 14th president, honors an alumnus or alumna who has performed outstanding service in the field of government or public service. The 2015 recipient of the Cavanaugh Award is Hon. Alex M. Calabrese ’75.

Judge Calabrese, a graduate of Fordham Law School, is the Presiding Judge of the Red Hook Community Justice Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Red Hook Court is the first multi-jurisdictional court in the United States, with Criminal, Family, and Housing Court jurisdiction. At the court, Judge Calabrese administers justice by offering an array of sanctions and services, including drug, mental health, and trauma-informed counseling, a GED program, education and job training programs, youth court, after school programs, and peacemaking.

“Every day throughout our country and around the world, Notre Dame graduates and students are performing acts of public service,” Judge Calabrese said. “No one told us at school to do this, but being a student at Notre Dame taught us that helping others was part of our faith and the Notre Dame way of life.”

The Red Hook Court has garnered national and international attention and is considered a model of procedural fairness and justice, treating offenders with respect and as members of the community. It has inspired the creation of similar courts in Indianapolis and other U.S. cities, as well as Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

“I am always proud to hear of the great work done by fellow alumni and students and I am honored to accept this award on behalf of all our alumni who are making a difference in their community,” Judge Calabrese said.