This award is presented to a Graduate Of the Last Decade, in honor of generously shared time and talent in service to Wittenberg University.
In the summer of 2003, Johnny Pryor returned to Springfield to begin his law career as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Clark County. He also returned to Wittenberg where he became actively engaged in campus life - a decision that recently earned him the 2006 Alumni G.O.L.D. Young Alumnus Service Award given to those who have generously shared their time and talents in service to their alma mater.
From serving on the Career Center Advisory Council and Tiger Career Network to the Alumni Board, Pryor has consistently given of his time to Wittenberg. He takes most pride, however, in the Wittenberg Mock Trial Team, which he designed and organized on campus and served as its first coach. At the same time, Pryor taught courses on critical reasoning for the philosophy department, and literature and the law for the English department through the School of Community Education.
"When I began coaching the mock trial team," Pryor said, "I realized I had my life backwards. Although I love the law, I discovered my passion lies in education, helping students to pursue the law." Pryor then made a career move from practicing law to higher education.
"I love teaching," Pryor said. "Students seem to appreciate the realworld experience, both good and bad, that I bring into the classroom, and with undergrad teaching and administration, I bring legal training and knowledge into my professional life."
He continues his work with mock trial programs and serves as chair of the Invitational Tournament Committee of the American Mock Trial Association.
"The association provides a challenging and exciting opportunity for students to learn firsthand about the work of trial attorneys by preparing a court case," he said.
Now the director of post-graduate studies at Butler University, Pryor supervises a staff of five pre-law and pre-health professionals, and helps shape and direct the school's post-graduate studies advising program. He also teaches courses in literature and the law.
"When I went to law school, I knew I didn't want to practice law my entire life," Pryor said, adding that he believes he has found the best of all possible worlds, one that allows him to work with undergraduates and remain engaged in the law.