MSW Alumnus Raymond Uno to Receive University’s Highest Honor
The University of Utah Board of Trustees announced March 16th that Barbara Tanner and Raymond Sonji Uno will receive honorary doctorate degrees at the 2018 commencement ceremony, Thursday, May 3, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. in the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The award is the highest honor given by the University.
“These two individuals are incredible examples of dedicated service and leadership, and their unfailing commitment to the University sets them apart as pillars in the community,” said Joe Sargetakis, chair of the Board of Trustees’ honors committee. “We are proud to present them with this honor and recognize the significant contributions they have made throughout their careers.”
Judge Unois a trailblazer, civil rights advocate and the first ethnic minority judge in Utah’s history. He spent his early life attending a racially segregated school, and in 1942, he was among 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry who were forced into U.S. government camps during World War II. It was there, surrounded by barbed wire fences and armed military guards, that he lost his father. During his high school years, he worked as a dishwasher, farm laborer, and railroad tracklayer to earn money for school and living expenses. Upon graduation, and in spite of his incarceration during World War II, he chose to serve in the U.S. Army.
After his service, Judge Uno worked a variety of jobs to pay for school, and eventually earned numerous degrees from the University of Utah: bachelor’s degrees in political science and law in 1955 and 1958 (respectively), a Master of Social Work in 1963, and a Juris Doctor in 1958. He had a successful legal career as a referee of the juvenile court, deputy Salt Lake County attorney, assistant attorney general of Utah, and in private practice. He served for almost a quarter of a century as a judge to the Salt Lake City Court, 5th Circuit Court, Third District Court, and as a senior Third District Court judge. Although he retired in 1990, he continued to serve for many years as a senior Third District Court judge. He has been honored with numerous awards for his community involvement and service. He has served on the boards of KUED and the College of Social and Behavioral Science. He remains associated with the U through the Alumni Association, Emeritus Alumni Board, Special Collections of the Marriott Library, and S.J. Quinney College of Law’s Minority Law Caucus. At 87 years old, he continues to attend campus events and is an ardent supporter of the U’s football and basketball teams.
Convocation Program
Each year, the University awards honorary degrees to individuals who have achieved distinction in academic pursuits, in the arts, in the professions, in business, in government, in civic affairs or in service to the university. The Honorary Degree Committee, which includes representatives from the faculty, student body and Board of Trustees, reviews nominations, and an advisory group of faculty, staff, and administrators provide additional input. The finalists are presented to the University president, who chooses individuals that will bring honor to both the recipients and the U.