New York University President John Sexton today awarded NYU’s Albert Gallatin Medal, awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to society, to Rita Hauser at NYU’s 174th Commencement Exercises in Washington Square Park. Some 19,000 graduates, faculty, staff, and guests attended the morning ceremony.
The following citation was read in conferring the honor on Dr. Hauser:
“New York University today honors Dr. Rita E. Hausereminent attorney, devoted public servant, gifted philanthropist, and for nearly five decades an esteemed member of the NYU community. Dr. Hauser is a leading authority in the fields of international conflict resolution, security, and human rights. She began her career at the United States Department of Justice, and later served as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and on commissions affiliated with the United States Department of State, the Brookings Institution, and the International Center for Peace in the Middle East.
“Dr. Hauser was a partner in the law firm of Moldover, Hauser, Strauss & Volin, and later became the first woman to make partner at Strook & Strook & Lavan. Today she serves as president of The Hauser Foundation, guiding philanthropic contributions to worthy causes. A tireless advocate for international peace, she is also the board chair of the International Peace Academy and chair of the Advisory Committee of the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy.
“Deeply committed to New York University, Dr. Hauser has provided key leadership to help secure the University’s vibrant future. With her husband, Gustave, she has endowed the Hauser Global Law School Program at the New York University School of Law, which brings international students and scholars to the School and prepares all law students for our increasingly internationalized age. She has also generously supported many other initiatives at the University, including a partnership with the Brooklyn Academy of Music, an innovative collaboration that expands our students’ exposure to both the New York and international artistic communities.
“A native of New York, she holds advanced degrees from the University of Strasbourg in France, Harvard Law School, New York University School of Law, and the University of Paris Law Faculty. She has been granted honorary degrees from numerous institutions, including Colgate University and the University of Miami. Among her many honors are the NYU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumna Award, the Women’s Economic Round Table Business Enterprise Award, the Harvard Law School Association Award, and the Shimon Peres Peace Award from Americans for Peace Now. In recognition of her outstanding professional achievements, her hard work in helping secure a more peaceful world, her visionary philanthropic legacy, and her unwavering devotion to this institution, New York University is honored to present The Albert Gallatin Medal to Dr. Rita E. Hauser.”